2 bystanders shot outside East Patchogue bar, Suffolk police say

Two men were shot in the leg outside an East Patchogue bar early Saturday morning, police said, by a third man who had been escorted out of the bar after a dispute.

Suffolk police said the man was forced to leave El Buen Ambiente, at 466 E. Main St., following an "altercation" with another customer.

"The man retrieved a handgun from his vehicle and began shooting, striking two bystanders outside the bar at approximately 1:30 a.m.," the police statement said.

The shooter ran off, police said.

The two victims were taken to local hospitals. One, a 39-year-old Lake Grove resident, was taken to Long Island Community Hospital in Patchogue with what police called serious injuries. The other, a 26-year-old who lives in Northport, was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

Anyone who can aid detectives probing the shooting should call 631-854-8552 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls are confidential.