Man Convicted In Shooting Death On Shinnecock Reservation: DA

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — A Southampton man was convicted Thursday shooting and killing a man who was asleep in his bed on the Shinnecock Reservation in 2019, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney.

Michael Gaines, 44, was convicted on one count of murder and two counts of burglary in the 2019 shooting death of Mtundu Vanderpool, Tierney said; the conviction came after a three week jury trial before Suffolk County Court Judge Timothy Mazzei.

Gaines faces up to life in prison and is slated for sentencing on March 7, Tierney said.

According to the evidence presented at trial, on August 16, 2019, five hours before
the murder, Gaines attacked Vanterpool at a gas station in Holtsville and then fled
on foot, Tierney said.

Vanterpool then returned home to the Shinecock Reservation and went to sleep next to his fiancé, Tierney said. Shortly before 6:00 a.m., Gaines broke into the home, burst into the couple’s bedroom and shot Vanterpool three times in the abdomen, Tierney said.

Vanterpool’s fiancé immediately called 911 "and made heroic efforts" to save Vanterpool, who died in her arms, Tierney said.

Gaines then fled the location and he was apprehended two days later in Pitt County, North
Carolina, Tierney said.

“With the jury’s verdict, the family and loved ones of Mr. Vanterpool are able to get some small measure of justice for his brutal slaying and the defendant will now beheld responsible for committing the heinous act of taking a life,” Tierney said.“I commend the hard working prosecutors of my office and thank the jury for their service, ensuring the defendant is no longer a threat to society."