North Bay Shore murder suspect to face judge after allegedly shooting officer
When officers attempted to execute a search warrant early Thursday in connection with that homicide, authorities say Nieves Reyes opened fire, striking a 33-year-old Suffolk County police officer in the face.
A quiet neighborhood was rocked by violence this week after a man accused of murder allegedly shot a police officer who was executing a search warrant. Nieves Reyes, 48, was taken into custody Thursday morning following a police raid at his residence on New York Avenue in North Bay Shore.
Reyes is accused of killing 66-year-old Eugene Allen, whose body was discovered in the brush across the street from the suspect’s home on Wednesday. When officers attempted to execute a search warrant early Thursday in connection with that homicide, authorities say Reyes opened fire, striking a 33-year-old Suffolk County police officer in the face.
The wounded officer was rushed to Stony Brook University Hospital. According to trauma surgeon Dr. James Vosswinkel, the bullet fractured the officer’s cheekbone and became lodged beneath his ear — a mere half-inch from what could have been a fatal or permanently disabling injury.
“If that was over half an inch, if that was at a different angle, unfortunately he's at least blind, if not with us anymore,” Vosswinkel said.
Neighbors expressed a mix of concern and relief in the wake of the arrest.
“It doesn’t shock me, but it bothers me to know there’s someone like that in this neighborhood,” said Claude Ellis. “It’s a relief knowing someone like that... is somewhere he’s not going to harm anybody.”
Exclusive News 12 video shows the moment Reyes was taken into custody.
Reyes is facing multiple charges, including second-degree murder and attempted murder of a police officer.
He remains in custody and is expected to be arraigned Friday in Suffolk County Court.
VIDEO: Latest on officer shot in the face in North Bay Shore
Authorities said the officer has been with the department for two years, is married with three kids, and was a combat medic in the Navy for four years.
Suffolk Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina visited him in the hospital and said he had a smile on his face and was happy to be alive.
Suffolk PBA First Vice President John Hnat also visited with the officer and said he was in “incredible spirits."
