RIVERSIDE, NY — Three teens have been indicted on attempted murder charges in connection with the shooting of a perceived gang rival and striking a bystander at the Long Island Railroad station in Bellport last month, Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney said Thursday.
Jahmez Cureton, 19, of Wyandanch, was indicted on charges of second-degree attempted murder, and related crimes.
His attorney, Peter Mayer of Hauppauge, could not be immediately reached.
His co-defendant, Javar Baskerville, 18, of Huntington, and a 17-year-old accomplice, were also arrested and charged with second-degree attempted murder for their roles in the shooting.
Baskerville is represented by the Legal Aid Society, which does not comment on cases.
The 17-year-old's attorney, Evan Sugar of Hauppauge, said his client is not accused of being the shooter.
"He's 17 years old, and it's our position that this case belongs in family court," he added.
Tierney said, "As alleged, these defendants displayed a complete disregard for human life when they targeted a perceived rival and opened fire on a public train platform, striking two people."
"My office will not tolerate gang violence in Suffolk County," he said. "Thanks to the diligent work of our police partners, we have secured a grand jury indictment against Jahmez Cureton, who we allege fired at the two victims. The two alleged accomplices are also in custody and face serious charges."
On Oct. 9, at around 1:05 a.m., Cureton, Baskerville, and the 17-year-old co-defendant, all alleged Crips gang members, boarded an eastbound train at Jamaica Station with another associate, and while on the train, the crew saw a rival gang member onboard and proceeded to put on masks and gloves, prosecutors said.
They stood by the exit door of the train to see where the perceived rival would disembark, according to prosecutors.
At around 2:25 a.m., the train arrived at the Bellport train station, and the three defendants and an associate exited the train, proceeded to the platform and down the exit ramp, prosecutors said, adding that when the perceived rival exited at the same stop, Cureton reached for his firearm, turned around and ran back in the direction of the train platform.
Cureton then pointed and discharged his firearm in the direction of the rival, and the bullet struck the intended target, entering and exiting his right shoulder, according to prosecutors.
The bullet then struck an unintended LIRR passenger in the right shoulder, prosecutors said, adding both victims were treated for non-life-threatening injuries at a local hospital and discharged.
On Oct. 13, Cureton was arrested at the Deer Park LIRR train station, and during the arrest, members of law enforcement recovered a gray/blue camouflage mask worn by him during the shooting, according to prosecutors.
Cureton was additionally charged with first-degree attempted assault in the First Degree, two counts of second-degree assault and criminal possession of a weapon, as well as first-degree reckless endangerment, all felonies.
He was ordered remanded without bail during the pendency of the case, and is due back in court on Dec. 10. He faces a maximum of 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count.
On Oct. 28, Baskerville was arrested outside a home in Bellport, and has been ordered held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond, or $2.5 million partially secured bond during the pendency of the case.
He is due back in court on Nov. 25, and faces a maximum of 25 years in prison, if convicted on the top count.
On Oct. 29, the 17-year-old co-defendant was arrested at Stony Brook University Hospital after receiving treatment for injuries sustained in a separate gang-related shooting, according to prosecutors.
On Oct. 31, he was arraigned and ordered held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond, or $2.5 million partially secured bond during the pendency of the case.
He is due back in court on Nov. 20, and faces a maximum of 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count.
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