By Jeff Lipton
According to Detective Sergeant John Azzata of the Fourth Squad, the suspect, identified as Damien Garrett of East Pine Street, approached the group at about 3:40 p.m. on Nov. 17, as they were standing on the front porch of the home.
Garrett then pulled out a silver handgun and squeezed off two shots at them, Azzata said. The suspect then ran away, according to police.
The four people were just standing on the porch, talking, when the defendant approached the front of the residence, Azzata said. He indicated that he wanted to see one of the individuals, and then he pulled out a handgun and fired two shots in the direction of the porch.
None of the victims is believed to have been hit, police said. One female victim complained of facial pain, but she refused medical attention, said Azzata, who added that her injury was not believed to be a gunshot wound.
Police could not identify a motive for the shooting at press time. Even though the area is known for drug activity, the incident is not believed to have been drug-related, police said.
The victims, who apparently know the suspect, notified police of the incident, the identity of the suspect and his possible whereabouts, officials said.
Police, including the Canine Unit, with officer Scott Bresalier and his dog Turbo, responded to a second-floor apartment at 131 Lawrence Ave. in Inwood, where the suspect was discovered hiding in a closet at about 4:45 p.m., authorities said. Garrett was arrested and charged with first-degree assault and second-degree criminal use of a firearm. He was arraigned on the charges in First District Court in Hempstead on Tuesday, Nov. 18.
The weapon was not recovered, police said.
Two female occupants of 131 Lawrence Ave., Diane Merchant, 32, and Shateonna Rice, 16, were arrested and charged with hindering prosecution for claiming the suspect was not in the apartment with them, even though they knew he was hiding there, Azzata said. The suspect is familiar with the two occupants, police said.
He secreted himself in their apartment They indicated that no one was in the apartment with them, and they were arrested, Azzata said.
