Man shot in back in Copiague

A Copiague man was shot in the back Friday night in Copiague as he ran away from two men, one of whom flashed a silver handgun at him, Suffolk County police reported.

Marvin Sosa was walking near the intersection of 41st and Liberty streets about 11:10 p.m. when two men approached him. One man pointed a gun at Sosa and pulled the trigger, but the gun did not fire, police said.

As Sosa ran away, he heard three gunshots. One bullet struck him in the back and lodged between two ribs, police said.

Police, responding to a 911 call, found Sosa, who was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip.

Both suspects are described as about 5-feet-11, weighing 170 pounds and between 22 and 23 years old. The suspect who had the handgun was wearing a red long-sleeved shirt and baseball hat. The other man was wearing a black long-sleeved shirt.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call First Squad detectives at 631-854-8178 or Crime Stoppers at 800-220-8477. All calls will remain confidential.