Cops say 3 shot in Central Islip

Investigators work at Suffolk and Hawthorne avenues in Central Islip... — Investigators work at Suffolk and Hawthorne avenues in Central Islip where three people were shot early Sunday. The location is across the street from the Central Islip station of the Long Island Rail Road. (Dec. 11, 2011) Credit: Photo by James Carbone

By JENNIFER BARRIOSjennifer.barrios@newsday.comDecember 11, 2011

Three men were wounded early Sunday in Central Islip when their sport utility vehicle was fired on by assailants in another SUV, Suffolk police said.

The shooting occurred about 3:35 a.m. at Suffolk and Hawthorne avenues, near the Central Islip station of the Long Island Rail Road.

The wounded men were in a 1998 Jeep Cherokee heading west on Suffolk Avenue when a Honda Pilot pulled alongside and someone inside began firing, police said.

Three of the five men inside the Jeep were wounded. Two are from Amityville: Omar Canales, 26, struck in the right arm, and Enrique Mendez, 21, hit in the chest. The third man, Jairo Rodriguez, 26, of Brentwood, was hit in the neck. All were taken to Southside Hospital in Bay Shore for treatment.

The others in the car, Mario Canales, 21, and Nelson Canales, 22, were not injured.

Police asked for help at 631-854-8452 (Fourth Squad) or at Crime Stoppers anonymously at 800-220-TIPS.

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