Police: 15-year-old fatally shot in Central Islip

The Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad says a 15-year-old was found dead behind a Hindu temple with gunshot wounds in Central Islip Wednesday.

News 12 Staff

Aug 7, 2019, 5:55 PM

Updated 1,963 days ago

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The Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad says a 15-year-old was found dead behind a Hindu temple with gunshot wounds in Central Islip Wednesday.
Police say that four teens were hanging out in a wooded area on East Suffolk Avenue around 3:45 a.m. when they were approached by two men and “something happened.”

Investigators say two of the teenagers told police they were drinking. They say the four teenagers ran in different directions.

Police say two of the teenagers ran to 7-Eleven and called 911. Investigators say an autopsy will determine how many times the teenager was shot.

Police say the victim is a Hispanic teenager from the neighborhood. Officials say they're investigating to see if the killing was gang-related.

Traffic on the road was shut down for 15 hours as police investigated. Police say there is no indication the teenagers knew the two men who came upon them in the woods, and that the temple is not connected to the shooting.

Suffolk County Legislator Sam Gonzalez, who represents the district where the shooting happened, is asking anyone with information to come forward and to call his office if they don't want to call police.

Police say they are still looking for the fourth teenager involved in this incident. An official from the temple tells News 12 they have no comment.

Anyone with information is asked to call Suffolk County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.