Police: Bicyclist caught fleeing Roosevelt park after shooting two

The First Squad reports the arrest of a Hempstead man... — The First Squad reports the arrest of a Hempstead man in connection with a shooting that occurred at 4:26 p.m. in Roosevelt. At that time, according to detectives, Stephon Whethers, 27, of 611 Covert St., was riding a bicycle inside Centennial Park when he fired multiple rounds from a .9mm handgun directly at a 25-year-old man, striking him once in the stomach. As he attempted to flee with a second man, 27, Whethers rode after them and continued to fire the weapon, striking the first man again in the upper arm and mouth, and the second man in the foot, police said. (July 15, 2010) Credit: NCPD

By GARY DYMSKIgary.dymski@newsday.comJuly 16, 2010

An "admitted gang member" from Hempstead faces attempted murder charges after allegedly shooting two men as he chased them on his bicycle in a Roosevelt park Thursday afternoon, Nassau County police said.

Stephon Whethers, 27, of 611 Covert St., was arrested at about 4:30 p.m. after falling from his bicycle in a short chase with police, according to a report by First Squad detectives.

One victim was shot in the stomach and mouth and is in critical condition at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, police said. The other was treated and released.

Police said Whethers was riding his bike in Centennial Park when he started shooting a 9-mm handgun, striking one man, 25, in the stomach. When the victim started to run away, along with another man, Whethers allegedly rode after them, still shooting. The first man was shot again, in the mouth and upper arm, and the second man was struck in the foot, police said.

As he was riding down the victims, police said, Whethers also pointed the gun at several bystanders, including a mother and her 11-year-old son.

A First Precinct officer assigned to patrol the park responded and chased Whethers in a police car, the report said. Driving east on Centennial Avenue, the officer said Whethers tossed the gun away in a parking lot on Babylon Turnpike. Whethers fell off the bike and was caught near Allers Boulevard and East Centennial Avenue, police said.

Police also said the handgun was recovered.

Whethers, who police said is an admitted gang member, is charged with attempted murder, possession of a weapon, criminal use of a firearm, menacing and reckless endangerment. He also has open warrants for traffic violations and marijuana possession, police said.

He is scheduled to be arraigned Friday at First District Court in Hempstead.