Man Charged In Connection With Fatal Backyard Shooting: DA

AMITYVILLE, NY — A Pennsylvania man was charged with second-degree murder in connection with murdering an Amityville woman, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Thursday.

Paulin Cerisier, 29, of Pennsylvania, was indicted for second-degree murder and other related charges, for allegedly fatally shooting Maresse Decherson-Stevenson, 41, of Amityville, in 2021, the DA said.

According to the investigation, on July 18, 2021, at around 2:50 a.m., Cerisier allegedly drove to Amityville and entered a backyard party, the DA said. Cerisier then walked up to Decherson-Stevenson, his ex-girlfriend’s uncle, and allegedly shot him in the left shoulder before fleeing the scene, the DA said.

Decherson-Stevenson was pronounced dead a short time later.

Suffolk County police arrested Cerisier on July 15, 2024, at a hotel in Washington County, Pennsylvania, the DA said.

On August 7, 2024, Cerisier was arraigned before Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei, for one count of second-degree murder, a Class A felony, and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class C felonies, the DA said. .

Cerisier is due back in court on September 18 and faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the top count.

“This defendant is alleged to have fatally shot Maresse Decherson-Stevenson at a backyard gathering,” said District Attorney Tierney. “I commend the Suffolk County Homicide Squad detectives for not giving up on the investigation. We look forward to proving this indictment in court.”

He is being represented by Christopher Gioe who was not immediately available for comment.