Legislator Speaks Out After Deadly Park Shooting

Suffolk County Legislator Dominick Thorne is speaking out after the fatal shooting of a 43-year-old North Bellport man at Robert Rowley Park, revealing that he had been responding to concerns at the troubled park for weeks and arranged for county social services to offer housing assistance to people staying there overnight.

Only one person accepted the assistance, according to Thorne.

“Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of Lonnie Booker of North Bellport who was fatally shot on Tuesday night at Robert Rowley Park, a Town of Brookhaven park located in my legislative district,” Thorne said.

Thorne said efforts to address problems at the park began well before the deadly shooting.

“For weeks now, I have been responding to concerns at the park and arranged for Suffolk County's social services department to offer housing assistance to people who have remained at the park overnight for some time,” Thorne said. “Unfortunately, out of all those offered assistance, only one individual accepted.”

Suffolk County Police said a 911 caller reported a man had been shot at Robert Rowley Park, located at 500 Patchogue Avenue.

When officers arrived, they found Booker suffering from a gunshot wound. He was rushed to NYU Langone Hospital–Suffolk in Patchogue, where he was pronounced dead.

Police have announced no arrest, suspect or possible motive. Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad detectives are investigating.

Thorne said he has been in direct contact with Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Panico, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina, Brookhaven Town Councilman Michael LoGuercio and other officials.

“I am confident the Suffolk County Police Department will act to locate and arrest the shooter,” Thorne said.

The killing came just days after Suffolk County Police and Brookhaven Public Safety officers conducted an enforcement operation at the park in response to community concerns.

Panico said seven people found in the park after closing were issued summonses. Four were also arrested on outstanding warrants, while the remaining three were escorted from the property.

“We will continue to approach this situation with compassion, but compassion must be coupled with accountability,” Panico said. “At the same time, our laws and park rules will be enforced.”

Panico also said county officials had brought social services directly to the park to offer housing assistance to people staying there, but only one person accepted.

“The Town invests heavily in our beautiful park system, and our residents deserve to be able to use and enjoy these public spaces safely,” Panico said. “We will not allow any Town park to be overtaken by illicit activity or conduct that prevents families and residents from enjoying it.”

Thorne said those efforts will continue in the aftermath of Booker's killing.

“I will continue to work with my colleagues in government to bring assistance to those in need of help, and we will continue to support efforts to connect people with necessary and appropriate services and keep the community safe,” Thorne said.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad detectives at 631-852-6392 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.