Man Who Shot Police Officer, Killed Coworker On Long Island Indicted: DA

BAY SHORE, NY — The Bay Shore man who shot a police officer in the face and brutally killed a former coworker by nearly decapitating him with a machete in July has been indicted on first-degree murder and multiple counts of attempted murder, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney.

Nieves Reyes, 48, of Bay Shore, was indicted for second-degree murder and three counts of first-degree attempted murder on Friday for his alleged brutal killing of a former coworker and for firing at Suffolk County police officers and shooting one in the face during a violent armed standoff at his residence, the DA said.

"Attacks on Suffolk’s law enforcement officers will be met with the law’s most serious consequences. The defendant allegedly committed a heinous act of violence that claimed a life and then allegedly opened fire on the brave officers who were doing their duty to serve our community," Tierney said. "This is a stark reminder of the dangers that our men and women in law enforcement face every single day. We will vigorously pursue these charges for the victim who lost his life and for the officer who was wounded in the line of duty."

According to the investigation, on July 23, Reyes allegedly attacked and killed 66-year-old Eugene Allen, his former coworker at the Suffolk Transportation Company, during a targeted ambush on New York Avenue in Bay Shore, the DA said.

The DA said surveillance footage allegedly shows Reyes chasing the victim with a machete, about two hours before his body was discovered in a wooded area, hidden under brush. Reyes was nearly decapitated and had numerous defensive wounds, the DA said.

During the early morning hours of July 24, Suffolk County police arrived at Reyes’ home to execute a search warrant and around 2:20 a.m., he allegedly fired five shots from a shotgun as officers tried to breach the doorway, the DA said.

It was then that a buckshot struck a patrol officer in the face and fractured his cheekbone, the DA said. Minutes later, after officers had retreated for cover, Reyes allegedly fired one shot at an emergency services officer caught in the open, the DA said. At around 5:45 a.m., when officers tried once more to get inside the location, Reyes allegedly again opened fire, shooting seven additional rounds at them, with the standoff ending only after the intervention of trained hostage negotiators, the DA said.

On Friday, Reyes was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice Anthony S. Senft, Jr., for second-degree murder, a Class A felony, three counts of first-degree attempted murder, Class A felonies, and first-degree criminal use of a firearm, a Class B violent felony, the DA said.

Senft ordered Reyes remanded during the pendency of the case, the DA said. He is due back in court on Sept. 3, and faces 40 years to life in prison if convicted of first-degree attempted murder and 25 years to life if convicted of second-degree murder, the DA said.

He is being represented by Brett Bennett, who was not immediately available for comment.