Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced the indictment of Lawrence Brown Jr., 26, of Riverhead, on charges including Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree. The indictment follows a shooting incident in Hampton Bays.
“This arrest is an excellent example of the work that can be achieved when law enforcement agencies work together,” said District Attorney Tierney. “I commend the joint investigation conducted by the Town of Southampton Police Department, Riverhead Police Department, with our East End Drug Task Force along with our Gang Task Force. We look forward to holding this defendant accountable in court.”
Southampton Town Police Chief James Kiernan highlighted the collaborative effort: “The extensive investigation conducted by the Southampton Town Police Detective Division in partnership with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Gang Task Force resulted in the successful arrest of Lawrence Brown Jr. and the recovery of a 9mm handgun that was allegedly used in a shooting into an occupied residence located in Hampton Bays. The collaborative effort resulted in an illegal handgun being removed from the streets before an innocent person could be injured or killed. Gun violence has no place in Southampton Town and will not be tolerated.”
According to investigators, on July 7, 2024, at approximately 11:40 p.m., Brown allegedly drove from his residence in Riverhead to Hampton Bays and fired five shots into a home where residents were asleep. No injuries were reported.
Residents initially mistook the gunshots for fireworks but discovered bullet holes and reported them to Southampton Town Police. Officers recovered multiple expended 9mm caliber shell casings from outside the home.
On August 22, 2024, authorities executed a search warrant at Brown’s home and allegedly recovered a 9mm caliber handgun from his bedroom.
Brown was arraigned on September 9, 2024, before Acting Supreme Court Justice Anthony S. Senft Jr., facing charges including two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class C violent felonies), one count of Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree (a Class D felony), and one count of Criminal Possession of a Firearm (a Class E felony). Justice Senft ordered Brown held on $250,000 cash bail or bond options up to $2.5 million partially secured bond.
Brown is scheduled to return to court on September 24, 2024, facing up to 15 years if convicted on top charges. He is represented by the Legal Aid Society.
Assistant District Attorney Kristen Yeamans is prosecuting this case with investigative support from Detective Donald Metcalf and Special Investigator Daniel Crerend.