Riverhead Man Indicted In 'Tragic Taking' Of E. Patchogue Man's Life: DA

RIVERSIDE, NY – A Riverhead man has been indicted in connection with the gunning down of an East Patchogue man after a fight, Suffolk District Attorney Raymond Tierney said.

Brent Henry, 59, of Riverhead, and Ines Reyes, 23, of East Patchogue, had an argument on Aug. 18 that turned into a fistfight inside the Bellport home that Reyes shared with his girlfriend, who is Henry’s niece, according to prosecutors.

To end the fight, Reyes and his girlfriend left their home and went to a home on Amsterdam Avenue in East Patchogue to be with other family members, prosecutors said, adding that a short time later, Henry also arrived at the home and confronted Reyes outside and engaged him in another fist fight.

After a brief exchange of punches and shoves, Henry went to his vehicle, retrieved a 40-caliber semi-automatic handgun, and shot Reyes multiple times, prosecutors said.

Reyes was rushed to Long Island Community Hospital in East Patchogue where he succumbed to his injuries, according to prosecutors.

Tierney said Brent’s actions “tragically resulted in the taking of a man’s life.”

“We will aggressively prosecute this case and seek justice for Ines Reyes and his loved ones,” he added.

His attorney, Christopher Cassar of Huntington, said he is still investigating the facts and circumstances around the case, but so far there is an indication that his client was assaulted by a group of men.

"He was injured," he said, adding that Henry had a black eye.

Cassar is developing a defense, he said.

The indictment of Henry, who was arrested Aug. 19, included charges of second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon.

His next court date is Sept. 18.

If convicted, he faces up to 25 years to life in prison on the top count.