Suffolk police identify Coram man killed in Christmas morning shooting in Commack
Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad detectives are investigating a shooting that killed one man and injured another on Moreland Road in Commack early Friday morning. Credit: Stringer News
Suffolk County police on Saturday identified a Coram man who was killed in a shootout in Commack early Christmas morning.
Police said Stephan Harbison, 33, was armed when he entered a facility at 450 Moreland Road and demanded to see a resident at about 12:45 a.m. Friday.
A facility employee led Harbison to the resident's room, which was also occupied by a 17-year-old and a toddler, police said.
Police said Harbison led the group to the lobby, where they were confronted by a relative of the resident. Harbison and the relative, identified Saturday as Frenel Jean, 35, of Dix Hills, then exchanged gunfire, police said.
Jean was seriously injured, police said Friday. No charges had been filed as of Saturday, police said. Police have not said what led to the confrontation.
Neither shooting victim was known to the organization and neither was a resident or staff, officials said.
The facility in Commack is operated by Community Housing Innovations. It is a state-regulated residential facility for families with children that provides case management services and child care, executive director Alexander H. Roberts said in an email Saturday.
The facility has 24/7 security staff and there is a locked exterior door with intercom. Roberts said they are investigating how they entered the building. He said the organization, which has operated facilities throughout New York for 30 years, has never previously had a shooting.
Roberts praised Suffolk County police and social services.
"We are extremely fortunate that none of our residents or staff was injured, thanks to the heroic actions of our security staff and the quick and professional response of the Suffolk County Police Fourth Precinct," Roberts said.
Harbison was released from prison earlier this year following a 2015 DWI crash that killed a friend, Hamzah Abdul-Hakim in Deer Park, records show. At this sentencing, Harbison admitted to driving at a high speed with a blood alcohol content of 0.15%, nearly twice the legal limit. Harbison initially tried to collect insurance money in the crash and gave police a false name before his arrest, officials said.
Harbison apologized to the victim during his 2017 sentencing to 3 to 6 years in prison.
"I am truly, truly sorry," Harbison said during his sentencing. "His memory is going to forever live with me."
John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.
Out East with Doug Geed: Wine harvests, a fish market, baked treats and poinsettias NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses.
Out East with Doug Geed: Wine harvests, a fish market, baked treats and poinsettias NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses.
