Wyandanch Man Gets 8 Years In Prison For Shooting Outside HS

WYANDANCH, NY — A Wyandanch man was sentenced to eight years in prison Monday after prosecutors said he shot someone multiple times during an argument outside a high school.

Nayshawn James, of Wyandanch, 21, received his sentence more than a month after he pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree assault, one count of first-degree criminal use of a firearm, and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced.

On Oct. 29, 2021, James engaged others in a verbal dispute while armed with an illegal loaded pistol, according to an investigation. He shot at an unarmed person multiple times, striking him in the face with one of the shots.

The individual was taken to a hospital with serious physical injuries and spent about seven weeks recovering, prosecutors said.

After a lengthy investigation by the Suffolk County Police Department, James was arrested April 27 and he was subsequently indicted by a grand jury.

He pleaded guilty Oct. 31.

In court on Monday, prosecutors asked that James be sentenced to serve 13 years in prison. Honorable Steven A. Pilweski sentenced him to eight years in prison.

“This defendant opened fire just outside school grounds during a crowded dismissal, striking the victim in the face,” said Tierney. “His actions put dozens of innocent school children at risk, and it is fortunate that no one else was injured or killed by his wonton acts.”