Cops: Gordon Heights shooting not random

The fatal shooting of a 43-year-old man found dead near the front door of his Middle Island home early Wednesday was not a random act, Suffolk County police said.

Officers responding to a 911 call reporting shots fired found Terrance Haynes dead in the doorway of his home on Wilson Avenue, police said. Homicide detectives are investigating the case -- and police said no suspect has been identified or arrested.

"We don't think it was random," said homicide commander Det. Lt. Gerard Pelkofsky.

Pelkofsky said investigators are looking into whether Haynes himself was targeted or another person in the house was.

Pelkofsky said a female acquaintance recently moved out with what investigators believe is Haynes' 1-year-old child.

According to court documents, Haynes had more than one criminal conviction for drug possession and drug dealing and has served time in prison.

Curious neighbors were seen Wednesday walking up and down the street looking at the police presence in the neighborhood and talking among themselves.

Plainclothes police officers and a Suffolk County Command bus stood near the Wilson Avenue home until a little after 2 p.m.

One patrol car remained in front of scene of the shooting later, and the door to the house remained open.

Neighbor Michael Ugwu, 52, said he was shocked when he heard that someone was killed there.

When he saw the police activity, he said, "I assumed someone got sick."

"That's frightening," he added. "For the past seven years I've been around here, I never hear someone got shot."

Ugwu said he did not hear gunshots overnight.

He said he did not know his new neighbors, but said Haynes' parents were the original owners of the house and both have passed away.

He said he never spoke to Haynes.

The home is near Middle Country Road near the border of Gordon Heights.

Police said the 911 call came in at 1:08 a.m. They said those with information could call detectives at 631-852-6392 or Crime Stoppers at 800-220-TIPS.

With John Valenti