Coram man sentenced for fatally shooting brother

A Coram man was sentenced Tuesday to 25 years to life in prison for the fatal shooting of his 17-year-old brother outside their family home, Suffolk prosecutors said.

Dimitri Robert, 30, was convicted of murder in April for the killing of Devontay Robert in October 2019 outside the Judith Drive home in Coram, prosecutors said.

“In a fit of spite, the defendant took the life of his own brother and destroyed his family,” Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney said in a statement. “This sentencing ensures he be unable to commit any more violent acts.”

Supreme Court Judge Richard Ambro imposed the sentence.

On Oct. 1, 2019, Dimitri Robert shot his younger brother, who was in the passenger seat of their mother’s rented 2019 Nissan Altima, prosecutors said during the trial.

Robert was in a child custody dispute with relatives the night of the shooting, prosecutors said.

He was holding a gun when Suffolk police arrived to the scene after a report of a domestic dispute. Robert then ran over to the Altima and shot his brother in the head, prosecutors said. Devontay Robert was pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant with the Suffolk medical examiner’s office, police said at the time of the shooting.

The teen wasn’t part of the dispute between his brother and relatives, Det. Lt. Kevin Beyrer, commanding officer of the homicide squad, said at the time.

Dimitri Robert was caught by officers after dropping the gun and attempting to flee, prosecutors said.