Social Media Posts Led To Long Island Man Gunning Down Neighbor: Report

LONG ISLAND, NY — A North Bellport man gunned down his neighbor after it was alleged that he had social media interactions with a 14-year-old girl in June 2022, a Suffolk prosecutor told jurors in his opening arguments on Thursday, Newsday reported.

Assistant District Attorney Veronica McMahon alleges that Shati Smith, who is now 31, is accused of killing Lee Houpe, 28, on Post Avenue one day after he alluded to Facebook messages Smith allegedly sent to Houpe's teenage cousin after seeing her at a local park, apparently telling the 14-year-old they could "be friends until she turned 16," according to the outlet.

Smith's defense attorney, John Manley of Hauppauge, said video evidence and a 911 call will be key in that it proves a witness of the prosecution, who identified Smith as the shooter, never saw the killing, and made the allegation only after Smith was charged in connection with the crime, the outlet reported.

Patch has reached out to Manley for comment.

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