Brentwood man shot breaking up fight, Suffolk police say

A Brentwood man who police say was trying to break up an argument was shot twice in Deer Park on Monday night.

Suffolk County police in a Tuesday news release said Barry Nesbitt, 41, was shot in the legs and treated at Stony Brook University Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

After he was shot outside a Wilson Avenue residence at about 8 p.m., detectives remained at the scene late to gather details on a possible getaway vehicle, authorities said.

Det. Sgt. James Murphy of the First Precinct said Nesbitt was with friends outside the house when someone came up and confronted another person in the group.

“He wanted to be the good guy and break it up,” Murphy said.

As the victim intervened, witnesses told investigators, the shooter fired off about four shots before taking off in a vehicle, Murphy said.

Detectives believe the shooting may have been drug-related.

They were trying to track down all the witnesses, most of them residents who scattered for cover, and get video from businesses on nearby Commack Road, police said.

Detectives ask anyone with information to call them at 631-854-8152.

With Gary Dymski