The three young men arrested in connection with the shooting of an alleged rival gang member and consequently a bystander at Bellport Long Island Rail Road station in October have been indicted by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office with the top charge of murder in the second degree, which carries a maximum 25-year sentence.
In a formal statement, D.A. Raymond A. Tierney said that Jahmez Cureton, 19, of Wyandanch, was indicted on charges of “attempted murder in the second degree and related crimes for shooting a perceived gang rival and striking an innocent bystander at the Bellport Long Island Rail Road Station last month.”
Accomplices Javar Baskerville, 18, of Huntington, and a 17-year-old were also arrested and charged with attempted murder in the second degree for their roles in the shooting while traveling with Cureton. “As alleged, these defendants displayed a complete disregard for human life when they targeted a perceived rival and opened fire on a public train platform, striking two people,” said Tierney. “My office will not tolerate gang violence in Suffolk County. Thanks to the diligent work of our police partners, we have secured a grand jury indictment against Jahmez Cureton, who we allege fired at the two victims. The two alleged accomplices are also in custody and face serious charges.”
The shooting occurred at the Bellport LIRR platform at 1:05 a.m. when Cureton, Baskerville and the 17-year-old co-defendant, alleged Crips gang members, boarded an eastbound train at Jamaica Station with another associate.
While on the train, the trio identified a rival gang member onboard and put on masks and gloves. Standing by the exit door of the train, they tracked the perceived rival to see which station he would exit the train.
“At approximately 2:25 a.m., the train arrived at the Bellport train station. The three defendants and an associate allegedly exited the train, proceeded to the platform and down the exit ramp. When the perceived rival exited at the same stop, Cureton allegedly reached for his firearm, turned around and ran back in the direction of the train platform,” said Tierney.
Cureton then allegedly pointed and discharged his firearm in the direction of the rival. The bullet struck the intended target, entering and exiting his right shoulder. The bullet then struck an unintended LIRR passenger in the right shoulder.
Both victims were treated for non-life threating injuries at a local hospital and discharged.
On Oct. 13, 2026, Cureton was arrested at the Deer Park LIRR train station. “During the arrest, members of law enforcement recovered a gray/blue camouflage mask allegedly worn by the defendant during the shooting,” according to investigators.
On Nov. 5, 2026, Cureton was arraigned on a grand jury indictment before the Supreme Court Justice Steven A. Pilewski for the following charges:
Pilewski then ordered Cureton remanded without bail. Cureton is due back in court on Dec. 10, 2026, and faces a maximum of 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count.
On Oct. 28, 2026, Baskerville was arrested outside of a residence in Bellport. On Oct. 29, 2026, Baskerville was arraigned before District Court Judge Evan Zuckerman on one count of attempted murder in the second degree, a class B violent felony.
Zuckerman ordered Baskerville held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond or $2.5 million partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. His next court date is on Nov. 25, 2026, where he will be facing a maximum of 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count.
On Oct. 29, 2026, the 17-year-old co-defendant was arrested at Stony Brook University Hospital after receiving treatment for injuries allegedly sustained in a separate gang-related shooting.
On Oct. 31, 2026, he was arraigned before District Court Judge John B. Zollo on a charge of attempted murder in the second degree, a call B violent felony.
Zollo also ordered the defendant be held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond or $2.5 million partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. The defendant is due back in court on Nov. 20, 2026, and faces a maximum of 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count.
With a gang rivalry at the center of the motivation for the shooting, Suffolk County Police Department said, “In conjunction with our law enforcement partners, we have implemented innovative strategies to drive gang presence and gang violence to record lows. We work closely with these partners on gang investigations and support these efforts through targeted patrols, enforcement and youth outreach.”
Both attorneys were contacted for comment, but neither responded by time of print.
