Jake's 58 shooting victim sues OTB, Suffolk, alleging they failed to prevent attack

A Wyandanch man shot in the parking lot of Jake's 58 is suing the casino for "failing to prevent" the shooting, according to court papers dated Friday.

Steffan Bumpers, the man shot outside the Islandia casino and hotel on May 31, 2024, alleges in a complaint filed electronically to the Suffolk County Supreme Court that Suffolk OTB, which owns Jake’s 58, and Suffolk County are responsible for his injuries due to insufficient security at the site.

The complaint, submitted by Melville-based attorney Scott Odierno, seeks an unspecified dollar amount as damages for Bumper’s injuries, which are described as "permanent in nature and character" in the document. Odierno did not return telephone messages left at his office Friday.

The complaint charges the shooting occurred due to "the negligence, carelessness, and recklessness" of Jake’s 58 "in having improper and/or insufficient security measures in place" and "in having insufficient security staffing, training and hiring."

Bumpers is also suing his alleged attacker, Nashawn Legros, also of Wyandanch, for his "violent physical attack" initiated by his "diabolical and devious manner," the complaint reads.

Legros pleaded not guilty to second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and first-degree unauthorized use of a vehicle before Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro in Riverhead on Aug. 30, Newsday reported at the time. The criminal case is pending.

Around 10:16 p.m. on May 31, 2024, Legros sat in a parked car in the casino parking lot when he saw Bumpers approach the building’s entrance, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said in a news release at the time of Legros’ indictment. Legros then allegedly got out of his car, approached Bumpers and shot him in his chest and stomach. Bumpers entered the casino, where he ultimately collapsed and received emergency care from both staff and patrons. He was transported to a hospital with serious injuries that required emergency surgery.

Tierney said at the time that the attack was targeted.

Bumpers suffered "painful and serious injury to diverse parts of his body and limbs, causing him to sustain emotional and psychological trauma," the complaint filed Friday reads.

Immediately after the shooting, Legros allegedly returned to the car he was not authorized to use and fled, Newsday previously reported. He later dumped the vehicle in Central Islip and was arrested nearly three months after the shooting, authorities said.

At his arraignment, Legros was ordered held on $1 million cash, $2 million bond or $10 million partially secured bond, according to court records. The complaint lists the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office Riverhead Correctional Facility as his address.

Christopher Gioe, the defense attorney listed as representing Legros in court records, could not be reached Friday.

Michael Martino, a spokesperson for Suffolk County Executive Edward P. Romaine, said the county "cannot comment on any potential or ongoing litigation" in a text message sent to Newsday.

Todd Shapiro, a spokesperson for Suffolk OTB, told Newsday in a telephone conversation Friday evening that the public benefit corporation would not comment on pending litigation.