2 Men Arraigned For Ties To July 4th Block Party Killing: DA

MINEOLA, NY — Two men were indicted by a grand jury for a July 4th shootout in Roosevelt, the Nassau County District Attorney's office said.

Michael Wright, 34, was arraigned on Monday for his role at a block party shooting that killed one man and injured two others, the D.A.'s office said.

Lawrence Sims, 29, of Roosevelt, was arraigned on Sept. 10.

Sims was charged with second-degree murder, first-degree criminal use of a firearm and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. If convicted of the top charge, Sims faces up to 25 years in prison, the D.A. said.

Wright faces multiple charges, including second-degree murder and second-degree attempted murder. If convicted of the top charge, Wright could face life in prison, the D.A. said.

"A traditional Fourth of July block party turned deadly when these two defendants – allegedly in a verbal argument – pulled guns and fired indiscriminately at one another," Acting D.A. Joyce Smith said in a statement. "Partygoers were screaming and running away from the gunfire."

Tavon Greenhill, 27, was struck in the back of the head and killed.

According to the investigation, Sims is accused of pulling a .9 mm weapon and firing multiple shots in Wright’s direction. In retaliation, Wright is accused of firing a .9 mm gun towards Sims, striking three people individuals attending the block party, the D.A.'s office said.