Authorities believe the suspect is a drug addict who may strike again when his current stash runs out. That man, whose image was caught on surveillance video, fatally shot his victims execution style during a robbery in /*Medford*/ on Sunday.
Police have reportedly questioned several people but have yet to make an arrest. Meanwhile, the families of the victims and the small town continue to grieve.
Leslie Mejia could not contain her grief as she visited the place where her big sister /*Jennifer Mejia*/ was murdered just days before the 17-year-old pharmacist assistant would have graduated high school.
"She loved everyone," Leslie Mejia said. "She didn't deserve that. Not like that."
Jennifer was the youngest of the four murder victims shot dead inside /*Haven Drugs*/. The other victims were pharmacist /*Raymond Ferguson*/ and customers /*Bryon Sheffield*/ and /*Jamie Taccetta*/.
Pat and Ralph Taccetta made their first trip to the memorial for their daughter on Tuesday.
"I can't believe my daughter's gone," Pat Taccetta said.
Police are desperately searching for the suspect. So is Jamie's father.
"The first night that I heard about it, you know, I was out there searching the area, just looking for anyone with a backpack," Ralph Taccetta said. "Just looking, looking."
The gunman took no money, but stole a stash of prescription pain killers before calmly walking out.
"The victims, whose lives were cut tragically short, were killed for no apparent reason, without warning," Suffolk County Police Commissioner /*Richard Dormer*/ said. "They offered no resistance and did not appear to provoke the assailant."
Police released more surveillance images of the suspect in the hopes someone recognizes him and comes forward. They warn that as long he remains on the loose, he could strike again, especially once his drugs run out.
"We're asking those who work in pharmacies, especially smaller stores off the beaten track, to be extra vigilant," Dormer said. "We're asking that extreme caution be used when opening and closing the store."
Outside Haven Drugs, the memorial continues to grow, made up of flowers, cards and candles left by a community in shock and mourning.
"This guy's a monster, absolute monster," customer Louis Polak said. "And they will catch him."
The Taccettas are now focusing on what will happen next, what has to happen for them.
"We're gonna get you," Pat Taccetta said. "We're going to get you and justice is going to be done."
A large-scale manhunt continues, including a reward for information that leads to an arrest.
"There was no reason to shoot them," Pat Tacetta said. "There was no reason. He took away four lives. He took away a young girl. He took away my daughter, who has two girls. And she was just going to get married. She was happy. There was no reason for this."
The suspect is described as a white male, 5-foot-8 with a thin build. He has dark facial hair and was wearing dark hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans with a black backpack.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Suffolk County Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-220-TIPS.
MEMORIAL SERVICES:
Jennifer Mejia
Wednesday and Thursday. Wake at the Robertaccio Funeral Home on Route 112 between 2 and 4 p.m. and 7 and 9 p.m. Friday. The funeral Mass will be at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church in Patchogue at 10 a.m., with burial following at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Coram.
Raymond Ferguson
Wednesday. Viewing is 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9:30 p.m. at McCourt and Trudden Funeral Home, 385 Main St., Farmingdale. Saturday. Funeral Mass at 10:45 a.m. at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Roman Catholic Church, 110-06 Queens Blvd., Forest Hills, Queens.
Jaime Taccetta
Thursday and Friday. Viewing at Moloney's Lake Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 132 Ronkonkoma Ave., Lake Ronkonkoma from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday. Funeral Mass at 8 a.m. at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, 45 Church St., Ronkonkoma, followed by burial at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Coram.
