Police ID Man Who Killed Himself Inside Long Island Church After Standoff

CENTER MORICHES, NY — A man who holed himself up in a Long Island church Friday afternoon took his own life as police closed in. Police have identified the man as 42-year-old John Beneventano, of Shirley.

A retired NYPD sergeant saw Beneventano attempting to light a van on fire in the parking lot of St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Center Moriches around 1:30 p.m., police said.

The officer called 911 and the man fled into the church, which is located at the corner of Ocean Avenue and Main Street, according to Suffolk Police Commissioner Tim Sini.

Responding officers attempted to enter the church from the north side, where they observed possible explosive devices, Sini said. They then attempted to enter the church at a second location, at which time they were met by Beneventano, who threw a gas can at officers and attempted to light them on fire.

The officers retreated and were not injured. Beneventano then lit a match and started a fire inside the building, police said.

Officers retreated from the church and a perimeter was established outside. Emergency Service Section Officers and the Hostage Negotiation Team attempted to make contact. It was later determined that Beneventano committed suicide. Police did not say how Beneventano was killed.

"Once again our officers put their lives on the line to protect the residents of Suffolk County," Sini said. "I want to thank all the members of the department who responded so effectively today."

The investigation is continuing and detectives are asking anyone with information on the incident to call the Homicide Squad at 631-852-6392.

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