4 arrested in Riverhead drive-by shooting

Four people were arrested in connection with a drive-by shooting in Riverhead on Wednesday night after being stopped by nearby police officers who heard the gunshots.

Riverhead Town police said patrol officers "heard what sounded like rapid gunfire" at 8:53 p.m. Wednesday coming from an area of Third Street in Riverhead, saw a tan Ford Taurus leaving the area -- and initiated a traffic stop.

While conducting that stop, police said the homeowner of a house on Third Street reported his home, occupied by "several adults and young children," had been shot at, and responding police reported finding shell casings in the street outside.

Police said officers conducting the traffic stop also found "similar shell casings" on the floor of the Taurus.

One of the vehicle occupants was found to be in possession of a loaded .380-caliber semiautomatic pistol, police said.

Arrested were Jeffrey Despeines, 21, of Centereach, Eric Baldwin Jr., 18, of Bellport, Jordan Harrell, 18, of Medford, and Jasmine Parsons, 19, of Riverhead. Police did not specify which of the four was found to be carrying the handgun.

All four were charged with first-degree reckless endangerment. Additionally, Despeines was charged with second-degree and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, while Baldwin was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

No one in the house was injured, police said.

Arraignment details were not immediately available.