Long Island Man Killed In Police-Involved Shooting

MIDDLE ISLAND, NY – A Long Island man who fired a rifle at a group of people, injuring a teen, Friday evening was shot and killed in an officer-involved shooting in New Jersey a few hours later, authorities said.

According to Suffolk Police, 47-year-old Todd Gregory was in a white 2006 GMC pickup truck when he fired a rifle at a small group of people standing in front of a home on Half Mile Road in Middle Island at about 6:40 p.m. The bullet went through the rear window of a parked vehicle.

A 15-year-old boy standing behind the vehicle was struck in the chest and arm by small pieces of flying debris caused by the bullet, police said. The boy was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries and released.

Gregory, who was known to the group, fled the scene in the GMC, police said. Detectives determined that Gregory, of Coram, was possibly suicidal and may have been fleeing New York State. Detectives notified Nassau County Police, New York City Police, New York State troopers, New Jersey State Police and Pennsylvania State Police of the vehicle description, possible destination, that Gregory was armed and dangerous and possibly suicidal.

New Jersey State Police located the pickup truck traveling westbound on Route 80, heading toward the Pennsylvania border at about 10 p.m., at which point they took over the active scene.

New Jersey troopers attempted to pull over Gregory's pickup truck, but he did not stop, according to the news release from New Jersey State Police.

Troopers followed Gregory to Old Mine Road in Hardwick, where they lost sight of his vehicle. Officers conducted a search and located the pickup truck in a secluded area, according to the release.

As troopers approached the suspect vehicle on foot, a gunshot was heard within the vehicle. At that time, one trooper fired multiple rounds into the suspect vehicle. Gregory was found in the vehicle with a fatal gunshot wound. Two rifles were recovered from the pickup truck. Gregory was pronounced dead at the scene. No troopers were injured.

It wasn't immediately clear whether Gregory took his own life or if he was shot and killed by police who heard gunshots.

With reporting by Tom Davis