A 21-year-old North Carolina woman has been indicted on murder and other charges in connection with the fatal shooting of a 52-year-old Holtsville man during a home invasion, Suffolk County prosecutors announced Tuesday.
According to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney, Dynasty Sanders is accused of fatally shooting Stephen McCoy inside his Holtsville home during a burglary on October 20, 2024. McCoy died more than a year later, on January 24, 2026, after undergoing multiple surgeries related to the gunshot wound.
Charges and Arrest Details
Sanders was arraigned April 7, 2026, on a superseding indictment charging her with:
- Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A felony
- Burglary in the First Degree, a Class B felony
- Criminal Use of a Firearm in the First Degree, a Class B felony
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C felony
She has been ordered held without bail and is scheduled to return to court on April 28, 2026.
Timeline of the Shooting
Prosecutors allege Sanders forced her way into the victim’s Holtsville home in the early afternoon and confronted McCoy and his wife at gunpoint, demanding money.
During the encounter, authorities say a struggle broke out. McCoy was allegedly overpowered and shot in the face after failing to comply with the demands. His wife was also threatened with the weapon but was able to escape the home and get to safety.
Sanders then allegedly fled the scene in a vehicle and returned to North Carolina.
Investigation and Capture
McCoy was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital, where he was treated for a traumatic brain injury and significant blood loss.
Following an investigation, Suffolk County Police located Sanders in North Carolina. She was apprehended by the department’s Fugitive Squad and extradited back to New York.
She was initially arraigned in August 2025 on attempted murder charges. After McCoy’s death months later, the charges were upgraded to include murder.
An autopsy determined the cause of death was complications from the gunshot wound to his head.
Additional Legal Proceedings
Separate federal court filings show Sanders has challenged her pretrial detention while being held at the Suffolk County Correctional Facility.
In a petition filed earlier this year, she argued she was being held without bail and raised complaints about jail conditions, including allegations of contamination and harassment.
A U.S. District Court judge dismissed the petition without prejudice, ruling that Sanders must first pursue her claims through the state court system before seeking federal relief.
Legal Stakes
If convicted of the top charge, Sanders faces up to 25 years to life in prison.
The case is being prosecuted by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office Major Crime Bureau.
Sanders is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
