Nassau Man Convicted Of Murder in Fatal 2023 Shooting: DA

MINEOLA, NY — A Long Beach man was convicted of charges connected to firing six rounds and killing a man in Long Beach two years ago, prosecutors announced.

Ronnie Sutton, 52, was convicted by a jury on Tuesday of second-degree murder, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said.

He was previously convicted of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon in connection with the same incident, prosecutors said.

Sutton is due back in court on October 3 for sentencing and faces a maximum of up to 40 years to life in prison.

On the evening of April 7, 2023, Sutton was riding his bike through the Sycamore Court parking lot in the Channel Park Homes in Long Beach.

Sutton rode past the victim, 33-year-old Shawn Usher, who was standing in a parking lot next to his vehicle, Donnelly said.

Sutton and the victim engaged in a verbal argument and Sutton pulled a gun out of his jacket and fired at Usher, prosecutors said.

As the victim ran, Sutton gave chase and continued to shoot, even as Usher fell to the ground. Sutton fired six rounds, striking the victim five times, Donnelly said.

After Usher was hit and fell to the ground, Sutton pistol-whipped him in the head. Sutton then got on his bike and rode away, the D.A.'s office said.

Sutton hid the weapon in a bush on the side of a house on East Market Street. The gun was recovered by members of the Long Beach Police Department a few days after the shooting, prosecutors said.

Usher was transported to Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital in Long Beach by the Long Beach Fire Department and was pronounced deceased that night. Sutton suffered several gunshot wounds, including a fatal shot that pierced his lung and heart.

“Ronnie Sutton had every opportunity to walk away from an argument he had with Shawn Usher, but instead he chose to escalate the situation into a brutal attack. Not only did he shoot Shawn six times, but he also pursued the victim as he tried to run away and then struck him with his weapon twice in the head while he was dying on the ground,” said Donnelly. “His cold-blooded behavior shows a complete disregard for human life, and this conviction makes it clear that anyone who resorts to such violence will be held fully accountable for the devastation they cause.”

Sutton was arrested on April 19, 2023. He is represented by attorney Gregory Madey, who Patch attempted to reach for comment.