Nassau Man Found Guilty Of Assaulting, Robbing Housemate

HEMPSTEAD, NY — A Hempstead man was convicted on Monday of multiple counts of burglary and assault for pistol-whipping and robbing a woman in October 2020.

Johnny Shorter, 42, was convicted of two counts of first-degree burglary, two counts of first-degree robbery, two counts of second-degree assault, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and two counts of menacing a police officer. He was found not guilty of a charge of criminal obstruction of breathing.

Based on his criminal history, Shorter could face 125 years to life in prison.

“The victim in this case awoke that morning and entered a nightmare, as this defendant burst into her locked room, robbed and violently pistol-whipped her, and stuck a loaded firearm in her mouth,” said Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly. “In the midst of this truly terrifying ordeal, the victim had the courage and foresight to lure the defendant outside, where neighbors could hear the attack and call police, who ultimately apprehended this dangerous individual.”

Shorter was renting a room in a home in Hempstead. According to Donnelly, around 11 a.m. on Oct. 11, 2020, he entered the locked bedroom of another person who lived there while she was sleeping, held her at gunpoint and demanded money that he claimed she had stolen from him.

Shorter stole credit cards, cash and other items from the woman's purse. He then shoved the barrel of his loaded gun into her mouth, pistol-whipped her and continued to demanding money.

In an effort to get help, the woman told Shorter she had money in her car and convinced him to leave the home. Once they were outside, a neighbor heard what was happening and called the police.

Shorter ran from the scene with the gun and was chased by police. He pointed the gun at two officers, but shot himself in the leg before police arrested him.