LI Man Indicted On Attempted Murder Charges After Shooting At Cop: DA

AMITYVILLE, NY — An Amityville man was indicted Tuesday on attempted murder charges after prosecutors said he shot at a Suffolk County police officer.

On May 10, a taxi driver picked up a passenger in North Amityville, according to the investigation. When the driver arrived, Jayvon Bell, 20, of Amityville, entered the rear seat of the taxi. Bell then cocked what appeared to be a handgun, pointed it at the driver’s head, and demanded money from the driver, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney said.

Bell stole about $150 from the driver then exited the cab and ran, prosecutors said.

About a month later, on June 3, Bell got into a dispute with an employee at Bolla Market in Lindenhurst, prosecutors said, adding that Bell refused to pay for a soda and informed the employee that he had a gun and began to leave the store.

But before leaving the premises, Bell took what appeared to be a handgun out of his pocket and tapped it on the window of the store and threatened the employee, prosecutors said.

On June 21, around noon, Suffolk County police spotted Bell, who was wanted for the prior alleged robbery and menacing, walking northbound on Albany Avenue toward Route 109 in East Farmingdale.

Bell then fled, and a foot pursuit ensued that led officers into the rear of a residence located on Maple Road in North Amityville.

When officers arrived in the backyard, Bell was standing with his back against a fence and holding a black handgun pointed directly at the officers, prosecutors said. Bell fired a shot at one of the officers, which missed and struck a fence, the district attorney said. One officer then returned fire, striking Bell.

Bell was arrested and taken to Stony Brook University Hospital to be treated for his injuries.

“This defendant’s decision to brandish, waive, point and then fire a gun at others could have cost a police officer, a taxi driver, and a gas station employee their lives,” said Tierney. “Thankfully, no one was harmed during any of the three incidents. Senseless gun violence puts innocent lives at risk, including police officers, who put their life on the line every day for the protection of our community.”

Law enforcement allegedly recovered the black handgun used by Bell, as well as video surveillance from the residence where the shooting occurred, as well as other residences in the area.

Additionally, police body worn camera footage allegedly captured Bell pointing the handgun directly at the officers.

Bell was arraigned on charges of:

• One count of first-degree attempted murder
• One count of second-degree attempted murder
• One count of attempted aggravated assault on a police officer
• One count of first-degree attempted assault
• Two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon
• One count of first-degree reckless endangerment

The judge ordered Bell remanded during the pendency of that case.

Previously, on July 14, Bell was arraigned on charges of:

• One count of first-degree robbery
• One count of second-degree menacing

The judge ordered Bell held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond, or $2,500,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of that case.

Bell is due back in court Aug. 8, and faces up to 20 years to life years in prison if convicted of the top count of first-degree attempted murder.

Joseph Handhse, Bell's attorney, said that he has yet to receive the discovery at this time and that the case is still "premature."

However, Bell claims he did not commit the robbery.

"Right now, it’s too early to comment on the defense," he said.

Hanshe told Patch he first met Bell when he was being treated at Stony Brook University Hospital.

"When I went there, he had three bullet wounds in his back," he said.

Bell was struck in his shoulder, gluteus maximus, and hip area, Hanshe said. He has since been released and is continuing to receive medial and psychiatric care.