SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y. – James Brown, a 43-year-old resident of Moriches, faces charges of Murder in the Second Degree and other related offenses following the shooting death of Umar Elquhir.
The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office announced the indictment, stemming from an incident on the evening of November 7, in the Poospatuck Reservation, Mastic.
Upon receiving multiple 911 calls, Suffolk County police officers discovered Elquhir unresponsive and with multiple gunshot wounds outside a house where Brown resided.
He was later pronounced dead at Long Island Community Hospital. Earlier that evening, video surveillance captured a brief altercation between Brown and Elquhir. Later, Brown reportedly shot Elquhir through the rear passenger window of his car, leading to Elquhir’s collapse outside the vehicle.
Brown was arrested on November 20, and subsequently arraigned before Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins on Tuesday. The charges include one count of Murder in the Second Degree, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, and one count of Criminal Possession of a Firearm. Justice Collins set bail at $500,000 cash, $5 million bond, or $5 million partially secured bond. Brown, represented by Steven Politi, Esq., is due back in court on January 25.