A third person has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with a fatal fight in Shirley that left a 48-year-old man dead earlier this month, Suffolk County Police announced Saturday.
Benjamin Sheppard, 33, of Central Islip, was arrested June 19 and charged with two counts of second-degree murder and one count of first-degree gang assault in the death of Christopher Martin.
The new charges mark a significant escalation in the case, which initially resulted in two arrests on gang assault charges following the June 14 incident.
According to police, a resident of a home on Hounslow Road called 911 at approximately 7:30 p.m. on June 14 to report a fight involving a man who rented a room at the residence. When officers arrived, they found Martin seriously injured.
Martin was transported to NYU Langone Hospital-Suffolk in Patchogue, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
Following the investigation, Homicide Squad detectives previously arrested Korey Sammarco, 36, of Shirley, and Melissa Fawcett, 50, of Central Islip. Both were charged with first-degree gang assault.
Police said Sheppard is being held overnight at the Third Precinct and was scheduled to appear in First District Court in Central Islip on June 20.
The homicide investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad at 631-852-6392.
As with all criminal cases, the charges are accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Photo: Neighborhood where the incident took place in Shirley/Google Photos.
