By JEFF LIPTON
The suspect, identified as Lashawn Mills of Victoria Street, was arrested on Maple Avenue in Hempstead on Monday, Aug. 4 at 1:40 p.m., and was charged with the attempted murder of a 44-year-old man, investigators said.
According to 3rd Squad detectives, Mills entered a bodega at 67 Evans Ave., in Hempstead on Thursday, July 30 at 3:38 p.m. and jumped in front of a customer in line at the counter.
The two men then became locked in a heated argument inside the shop, said Detective Lt. Ray Cote of the 3rd Squad. "They exchanged words and Mr. Mills felt he was being disrespected, so he left and went to a friend to get a gun."
Mills then followed the victim into Campbell Park, which is across the street from the bodega, where he confronted him and began to pull out a silver revolver, Cote said.
"Mr. Mills was emboldened by the fact that he had a gun, and he went to escalate the fight because he felt he was not getting the appropriate amount of respect from the victim," said Cote. "At that point, fearing for his life, when he saw Mr. Mills taking the gun out of his waistband, the victim takes a swing at him."
As the victim was running away, Mills fired one round, which missed the victim, who managed to escape unharmed. Mills then fled the scene.
Cote said investigators received information from the community, providing them with a nickname of the suspect and leading to the Aug. 4 arrest of Mills.
Mills was charged with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree criminal use of a firearm and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead on Aug. 5.
Police said the gun was not recovered and Mills's friend is still being sought.
Cote said Mills was charged with possession of a loaded gun on Jan. 9 and drug possession on July 21. "Both of those things happened this year, so he's on a roll," Cote said of Mills.
Comments about this story? Jlipton@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 210.
