'You Wanna Die?': Previously Convicted Felon Sentenced For Fatally Shooting Longtime Friend: DA

MASTIC, NY — A previously convicted felon was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison after shooting his longtime friend to death, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.

James Brown, 45, of Mastic, was found guilty by a jury of second-degree murder and other charges, after fatally shooting his friend, Umar Elquhir, 45, of Mastic, in November 2023, the DA said.

The evidence at trial established that on November 7, 2023, at about 9:27 p.m., Suffolk County Police received multiple 911 calls reporting that a male was on the ground and possibly shot in the Poospatuck Reservation in Mastic, the DA said.

Once police arrived at the scene, they saw the man unresponsive and with multiple gunshot wounds lying on the ground next to a home where Brown resided, Tierney said.

Elquhir was transported to Long Island Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, the DA said.

During their investigation, law enforcement obtained video surveillance from a smoke shop across the street from Brown’s home, which revealed that Brown and Elquhir had a physical altercation earlier in the evening, Tierney said.

The victim left the area but returned about two hours later and parked outside of Brown’s home, Tierney said.

When Brown came out of the home, he walked toward Elquhir's car, while repeatedly yelling, "You wanna die?" before firing about nine shots into the vehicle, the DA said.

Multiple bullets hit Elquhir, who was seated in the driver’s seat; Brown then walked away and went inside his home, and Elquhir got out of his vehicle and collapsed onto the ground, Tierney said.

The jury rejected Brown’s claim at the trial that he was acting in self-defense when he shot the unarmed Elquhir, the DA said.

On May 9, Brown was convicted of one count of second-degree murder, a Class A felony; and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, Class C felonies, after a jury trial heard before Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins, Tierney said.

Brown was previously convicted in February 2012 of first-degree assault, (loaded weapon), for which he served five years imprisonment, the DA said.

On Monday, James Brown was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison; he was represented by Jason Russo. "I was seeking a much lower sentence from the judge," Russo said. "I argued to the jury, and I believe to this day, that he was justified in his actions. I think he deserved to be sentenced, partially on the possession of the gun, but I think his actions that day were justified. I tried to convince the judge to the merits of that in his sentencing, but unfortunately, my client made a statement to the court that the court seemed not to appreciate."

According to Russo, Brown "took the opportunity to speak and rather than asking for mercy or being remorseful, he took the stage to point the finger at me and the prosecutor. According to the judge, he failed to show remorse."

Brown added: "I think the judge disregarded my request in the face of those comments. I'm disappointed with the verdict, but I think my client might have talked himself into that. The judge said, on the record, 'Well, Mr. Brown, you've made this easy on me,'" Russo said.

"Violent rage has been met with severe consequence," said Tierney. "A life sentence is the only appropriate sentence for a criminal with a prior violent conviction, who has once again used a gun and has now killed. The public must be protected from such danger."