Man Sought In Connection To Shinnecock Shooting Arrested: Cops

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — A man sought in connection with a fatal shooting on the Shinnecock Reservation has been arrested and will be extradited, police said.

According to New York State Police, Michael Gaines, 42, has been located and is currently incarcerated in the Pitt County Detention Center in Greenville, North Carolina, after being arrested and charged by the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office for breaking and entering a motor vehicle.

Gaines is being held without bond on a New York parole violation fugitive warrant and will be transported back to New York after the extradition process has been completed, police said.

Gaines, police said, "is a suspect in the shooting homicide on the Shinnecock Indian Reservation from August 16, 2019."

Soon after the shooting, police identified the man shot and killed as Mtundo Vanterpool, 43, who lived on the Reservation but was not a member, New York State Police said.

New York State Police said they were asking for information regarding the location of Gaines, who also resided on the Shinnecock Reservation but was not a member; it is believed he has information regarding the investigation, police said.

According to New York State Police, a call came in at 5:35 a.m. on Aug. 16 regarding the shooting; one person was pronounced dead of an apparent gunshot wound.