Authorities say a home invasion in Wyandanch ended with a teenage thief shot to death by someone in the house. And in the hours that followed, two more people were shot outside that teenager's own home.
The first shooting happened early Sunday morning. Police say three teens were trying to burglarize a house on Lake Drive in Wyandanch. According to published reports, 16-year-old Tyler Daniels kicked down the door, and someone on the other side shot him.
Daniels collapsed in the street, and one of the teens with him called 911. Daniels died at the hospital. It is unknown who shot Daniels, whether it was the homeowner or someone else who was inside. That shooter fled the scene, and police are searching for details.
A day after Daniels was shot, two people were sitting in a car outside his home when someone approached and opened fire. That shooter ran to a nearby car that sped off. Those two victims, identified as Demetrius Edwards and Jean Julien, were rushed to Good Samaritan Hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
Edwards, 17, was shot in the back and arm and underwent surgery. He was listed in guarded condition. Julien, 18, was hit in the thigh and wrist. He was treated and released from the hospital.
Neighbors say crime is tearing the community apart. Many of whom can't leave their homes after dark.
Authorities won't say whether the two crimes are connected though they appear to be according to the Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy.
"We think gang related but we do know. That the teen was allegedly burglarizing when the deadly shot fired," said Steve Levy.
