Cops push to find Medford drugstore killer

Detectives hunting the Medford pharmacy killer questioned narcotics informants and interviewed doctors and druggists Tuesday, asking them if they could put a name to the face of the gunman.

Investigators believe the man who killed four people and stole synthetic opiates -- a crime recorded on video surveillance -- is a drug user. Police said they have developed several leads as hundreds of tips rolled in from across the region during the third day of the manhunt.

They showed photographs Tuesday of possible suspects to the first person to find the crime scene, James Manzella, said Joe Caggiano, who called himself Manzella's friend.

No suspects were arrested or publicly identified, police said.

The intense focus on addicts came a day after police revealed the suspect stuffed his backpack full of synthetic opiate pain medication after fatally shooting two employees and two patrons.

The victims were pharmacist Raymond Ferguson, 45, of Centereach; his assistant, Jennifer Mejia, 17, of Medford; Bryon Sheffield, 71, of Medford; and Jaime Taccetta, 33, of Farmingville.

Police said none of the victims resisted. A source who viewed the video said Tuesday that "the cruelty and coldness are unimaginable."

A community vigil for the victims will take place Friday at Hallock Park in Patchogue, said organizer Deacon Glenn Diener of the Common Ground Christian Life Church in Central Islip.

Police have been canvassing neighborhoods near the pharmacy, Haven Drugs on Southaven Avenue, knocking on doors and asking whether residents recognized the bearded young man seen in store surveillance video. Detectives also visited a nearby convenience store.

Police said calls to Crime Stoppers came in by the dozens overnight, anonymous tipsters feeding information that investigators are hopeful will lead them to the man responsible. More than 250 calls were recorded by Tuesday afternoon.

Some residents and business owners said they had called police about gaunt young men with beards and backpacks. Others remained vigilant.

"I tattooed that man's picture in my brain," said Joff Sahin, of Medford, who owns the Pita House restaurant just a mile south of the crime scene. "And I will never forget that face, and many people in our community have done the same."

With Matthew Chayes,

Ali Eaves, Victor Manuel Ramos, Patrick Whittle and Jeremy Schneider