Fatal Shooting Shocks Three Village Residents

As word of Tuesday night's fatal shooting spreads through the Three Village area, many have expressed shock that something so tragic could happen in this community.

Alongside prayers for the victim's family and friends, folks have used words like "scary" and "horrible" and "surreal."

"Things like this never happen in our neighborhood," Tracey Cicale said via the Three Village Patch Facebook page. "This is a fine neighborhood with a caring community. Most of our children all know each other. This is surreal and scary. I pray for the shooter to be found soon and justice be made."

"It is so sad you are not even safe in your own home," Margo Kennedy said via Facebook. "God bless the family."

Lifelong Setauket resident Kait Kosiorowski said she never heard of crime or violence happening in Three Village until recently.

"It's sad to hear that this crime and violence is happening now in our own backyards," she wrote. "I believe Long Island is becoming so over populated that the areas which were once the safest are now starting to blend in with those areas which were named 'dangerous.' I think at this point anything can happen anywhere and it's sad to say but unfortunately keeping a close watch and guard up is starting to become the 'normal.'"

Via Twitter, Alex Donnelly said: "Kinda scary thinking someone was killed about a half mile from my house...What the hell Setauket?"

Paula Giuliano, who lives in the South Setauket/Centereach area, said she does still feel safe in her neighborhood. But, she said, "it's a crazy and scary world full of hate. I don't understand why people think they can just go out and kill another person. ... I'm hoping they find this unstable killer so we can get some answers."

Maureen Higgins, a resident of the nearby Storybook section, called the incident "very unnerving." She said she originally thought it was "firecrackers and kids."

"We keep our doors open because of the great fall breeze," she said. "I have three small children and feel very safe here. I never would have thought it would be gun shots in our neighborhood. ... I will probably think twice with my doors open tonight."

How do you feel about such a violent crime happening in our community? How has it affected you? Log in to Patch and tell us in the comments.