Teen shot during backyard fight in Mastic; shooter remains at large
The shooting occurred at 7:25 p.m. on July 9 during an altercation in the Mastic backyard.
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A 17-year-old was injured in a shooting during a backyard fight Thursday night in Mastic, and the shooter remains on the loose, Suffolk County police said.
The shooting occurred shortly before 8 p.m. in the backyard of a home on Neptune Avenue, according to police.
Authorities said the suspect fled the scene after opening fire. The teen victim was transported to William Floyd High School, where he was airlifted to a hospital. Police said he is expected to recover.
A neighbor who lives across the street and requested anonymity said she saw a large group of teenagers gathered at the home before the shooting.
She said the teens appeared to be playing and socializing before moving into the backyard.
“Jumping on each other, playing just like kids do,” the neighbor said. “And then they went into the backyard and the next thing we knew, we heard them screaming.”
Moments later, she said, teens were seen running from the property.
Police are continuing their investigation and are asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers or local authorities.
The incident is the latest in a series of violent crimes reported in the Mastic area in recent months. Last month, a Mastic man was accused of stabbing a 71-year-old man during an alleged road rage incident. In a separate case, a Mastic Beach man was charged after authorities said he shot two people.
No arrests have been announced in connection with Thursday night's shooting.
