Student Shot In Marijuana Transaction That 'Did Not Go Well': ADA

GREENPORT, NY — A Mastic man was charged with shooting a Greenport High School student during a marijuana deal gone bad, according to Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney Brad McGill.

Josue Bedell, of Mastic, who was represented by Northport attorney Peter Smith, pleaded not guilty to charges, which, according to ADA McGill, included criminal possession of a weapon, a "violent felony," second degree possession of a loaded firearm, a felony, second degree assault, a felony, and possession of marijuana.

Bedell and three others drove from Mastic to Greenport for a "marijuana transaction that did not go well," McGill said. Bedell, he said, "pulled out a firearm;" the weapon discharged and the Greenport teen was shot in the abdomen, McGill said. The teen is currently in stable condition at Stony Brook Hospital, McGill said.

Next, McGill said, the four jumped in their vehicle and fled, taking the marijuana with them.

At Bedell's arraignment at Southold Justice Court Friday, Southold Town Justice Eileen Powers set bail at $100,000 cash or $300,000 bond. An order of protection was also issued in favor the Greenport teen.

Bedell, wearing red athletic pants and red and white sneakers, kissed his loved ones in the courtroom good-bye before being led away in handcuffs.

Also arraigned was Jayln Terrell Preston of Center Moriches, who was charged with fourth degree criminal facilitation, a misdemeanor, according to his Legal Aid attorney. His attorney said he was a lifelong Suffolk County resident, who lives with his grandmother — his father is a teacher and minister —is active in the church as a musician and has attended Suffolk County Community College; she asked that he be released on his own recognizance.

Due to the fact that he was the driver of the vehicle, the ADA asked for bail; Powers set bail at $2,000 cash or $4,000 bond.

According to Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley, shortly after 1 a.m. Friday, a call was received from a resident of North Street in Greenport who reported hearing gunshot nearby.

Responding Southold Police officers located the teen, a Greenport Village resident and Greenport High School student, suffering from a gunshot wound to the abdomen, Flatley said.

Officers and the Greenport Fire Department’s rescue squad treated the teen, who was then transported to the hospital, Flatley said.

Officers at the scene were given the description of a vehicle possibly involved in the shooting, which resulted in stopping a vehicle with four occupants on Route 25 in Southold, Flatley said.

The four occupants of the vehicle were transported to Southold Town Police headquarters in Peconic to be interviewed; a Southold Police K-9 unit was employed in a search and recovered a gun believed to have been used in the shooting, including other contraband, Flatley said.

The investigation is ongoing in conjunction with Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini's office and formal charges will be forthcoming, Flatley said.

"It is important for the residents of the Village of Greenport to know that the police department has identified those persons involved in this incident, and there is no reason to believe a threat still exists. It is equally important to understand that this incident, although involving a Greenport High School student, did not take place on the Greenport High School campus or involve any other high school students or activities," Flatley said.

Early on Friday, Greenport Schools Superintendent David Gamberg sent a message to families: "We have received information that one of our students was the victim of a shooting last night. The student is under medical care at this time. According to Southold Town Police the suspects are in custody. We have been reassured by the police that this incident does not jeopardize our building safety," he said.

The district, Gamberg said, conducted emergency crisis meetings with all staff before school Friday, and is providing counseling support to students and staff in the district.

Later in the day, Gamberg sent an update: "We have received news from the family that the student is stable, alert and responsive. They expressed their gratitude for our support and respect for their privacy," Gamberg said. "Our faculty and counselors have been available and working with students throughout the day. They will remain available in the upcoming days. Please contact them with any questions or concerns about your child's reactions to this situation. The Southold Town Police have informed us that the incident was not school related, did not occur on school grounds and in no way jeopardizes school safety."

Patch file photo.