'He Meant To Do Harm': DA On LI Dick's Sporting Goods Machete Attacker

NORTH PATCHOGUE, NY — A Long Island man accused in a machete rampage that left a Dick's Sporting Goods manager so seriously injured that he might not regain the use of his fingers now faces upgraded charges following the unveiling of an indictment Monday, Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney's office said.

Treyvis Tunstall, 22, of West Babylon went to Dick’s Sporting Goods store in Westfield Mall in Bay Shore on Aug. 12 and purchased a machete, a hunting knife, and a backpack, Tierney's office said, adding, that he was told by a store clerk that they did not sell the weapons and suggested he go to the North Patchogue location.

Tunstall then took the hunting knife and machete inside of the backpack, inquired
about a rifle purchase, and "without provocation or warning, abruptly left the
counter and proceeded to attack people at random with the machete," Tierney's office said.

Tunstall attacked a store manager, striking him numerous times in the head, arms and wrist, causing him to fall to the floor, and continued attacking him with the machete, before stopping briefly and walking away only to return and strike him repeatedly as he laid on the floor, according to Tierney's office.

Tunstall left the manager eventually, then made his way through the store where he found a customer and struck them with the machete on the back of the head, causing a laceration as well as bruising to the customer’s wrist brought about by the person trying to shield his head, Tierney's office said.

Tunstall ended up going outside into the parking lot and "without saying a word, struck a third store customer on the shoulder causing a laceration, chasing them briefly before the person was able to escape, according to Tierney's office.

Tierney said that when Tunstall "decided to walk into a store armed with a machete, his intentions were clear."

"He chose to cause harm that day,” he said. “Residents and shoppers of Suffolk County should be able to go about their day without feeling like they have to look over their shoulders and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office intends to do everything it can to keep all our residents safe."

After the attack, Tunstall ran into a nearby wooded area where he was arrested a short time later, and police recovered a machete "believed to be the weapon" he used, according to Tierney's office.

The manager was treated at Stony Brook University Hospital, where he underwent surgery, Tierney's office, said, adding, that the man suffered a skull fracture, a fractured wrist, and severed tendons and nerves in both hands.

It is unclear if he will ever regain the use of his fingers, Tierney's office said.

The two customers attacked by Tunstall suffered minor injuries and were treated with tourniquets by police and paramedics from the Patchogue Volunteer Ambulance Company.

Tunstall has been charged with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, and two counts of second-degree assault, as well as third-and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

At the unveiling of his indictment, Judge Anthony Senft set his bail at $1 million cash or $2 million bond, or $10 million partially-secured bond and issued orders of protection for all three victims.

Tunstall is being represented by an attorney from The Legal Aid Society. Attorneys with Legal Aid do not comment on cases.

Lisa Finn contributed additional reporting to this story.