Cops probe shootings of three men in North Bellport

Residents of a North Bellport neighborhood said they were rattled - but not surprised - by late-night shootings Wednesday that hospitalized three men.

Suffolk County Police are investigating the violence that erupted in a residential area between Patchogue and Brookhaven avenues, a police spokeswoman said.

One man, 26, received multiple gunshot wounds in the abdomen, left arm and groin; another, 22, was shot in the arm; a third, 31, was shot in the leg, the spokeswoman said.

All were taken to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center in East Patchogue for treatment. The 26-year-old was in critical condition but expected to live, the 22-year-old suffered non-life-threatening injuries, and the 31-year-old was treated and released, the police spokeswoman said.

Joseph Higgins, who lives nearby, said violent crime is too common in the neighborhood. He blamed the violence on restlessness caused by a lack of recreational opportunities and a dearth of business investment in the community. " "It's just a shame we can't get along in this small community," Higgins said.

The neighborhood, north of the Bellport train station, is dotted with single-family houses, several of which are boarded up.

Paul Williams, who lives in the area, said word traveled fast about the shooting. "It's just stupid issues and people bickering, and it just ends up leading to gunplay," he said.

Police received two calls the night of the shootings, the spokeswoman said. One came from Patchogue Avenue at 11:36, the other from Brookhaven Avenue at 11:41. Police aren't sure if the shootings are related, she said.

Greg Miglino, department chief at South Country Ambulance, said one emergency crew found a victim at Patchogue and Provost avenues. A resident said the shootings occurred on Provost.

"As we were working on the guy, another man came up and said, 'I'm shot, too,' " Miglino said.