'Cold, Calculated Murder': LI Man Who Shot Man Sentenced To Prison: DA

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — A Bellport man was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison after he was found guilty of fatally shooting a man in June 2022, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney announced Thursday.

Shati Smith, 31, of Bellport, was convicted on one count of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon for fatally shooting 28-year-old Lee Houpe, Tierney said.

Tierney called the slaying a "cold and calculated murder."

"Smith gunned down an unarmed man in broad daylight and then fled the state to avoid justice," Tierney said in a news release. "Thanks to the swift work by law enforcement, he was captured, extradited, and ultimately convicted."

On June 15, 2022, around 1:45 p.m., Houpe was standing in a friend’s driveway when Smith got out of his car and opened fire on him, striking him three times, prosecutors said. When Houpe collapsed to the ground, Smith stood over him and shot him seven more times, striking him in the face, arm, and chest, ultimately killing him, investigators said. Smith then got into his car and drove off, authorities said.

Smith fled to Virginia where he was found by members of the Suffolk County Police Department and arrested, officials said.

Smith was convicted on May 5, the DA said. He was sentenced Thursday.

He was represented by Jonathan Manley.