A Bay Shore man has been indicted on murder and weapons charges in connection with a fatal New Year’s Eve shooting in New Cassel, Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced.
According to prosecutors, Stephen Primm, 34, of Illinois Avenue in Bay Shore, allegedly shot Joseph Fountain, 51, four times during a New Year’s Eve gathering at a home on Railroad Avenue shortly after 2 a.m. on January 1.
Police responded to Railroad Avenue near Siegel Street for an aided case involving a gunshot victim. Fountain was transported to NYU Langone Hospital–Long Island, where he later died from his injuries.
Investigators say a dispute broke out outside the home between Fountain and several family members. During the altercation, a neighbor attempted to intervene and was punched by Fountain. Fountain then went back inside the home and headed upstairs.
Prosecutors allege that Primm, who was a guest at the neighboring home, entered the Railroad Avenue house and fired four shots up the stairwell, striking Fountain in the hand, torso, and back. Primm allegedly fled the scene immediately after the shooting.
Primm was arrested at a home in Bay Shore on January 3 by Nassau County Police Homicide Squad detectives. He was arraigned on charges of Murder in the Second Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, pleaded not guilty, and was remanded. He is due back in court on March 10, 2026.
If convicted, Primm faces up to 25 years to life in prison.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All calls are confidential.
The charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.
Photo: NCPD.
