by Jerry Burke
According to Detective Lt. Dennis Farrell of the Homicide Squad, 22-year-old Malcolm Roland of Lakeview was attending a party on Melvin Avenue Saturday night when he and three friends got into a verbal altercation with other attendees. "At this time, it is not clear whether or not Roland and his friends were even invited," said Farrell. "By the time we go to the scene, it was pretty chaotic; a lot of people were standing out in the street."
Farrell said the four left the party a little before 1 a.m. Sunday and got into their 1992 Nissan, which was parked at the corner of Melvin Avenue and Janos Lane.
The four were sitting in the car when at least one man, and possibly more, approached the vehicle. Another argument ensued, one that end with the man, whom police described as a black male in his 20s with short hair and a stocky 5-foot-9 build, drew a handgun and opened fire on the front passenger side of the car, where Roland was sitting. "More words were apparently exchanged by the car," said Farrell. "That's when the suspect pulled out a 9-millimeter and shot at Roland numerous times."
As the suspect fired, police say Roland managed to exit the car and fell over, only to be shot again as he collapsed on the street. The suspect then fled on foot in an unknown direction.
Roland was pronounced dead at the scene. None of the other occupants of the car was injured, leading police to believe that Roland was the specific target of the shooter. "There is no question he was the target," said Farrell. "The shooter had ample opportunity to fire on the other people in the car."
Residents along Melvin Avenue were hesitant to talk about the shooting Monday morning. "It's just a senseless death," said one woman. "They carry these [guns] around with them and have no idea what damage it can cause."
Police are also trying to determine what sparked the incident. The party, says Farrell, was attended by anywhere from 30 to 50 people, some of whom were questioned at the scene and others of whom are still in the process of being interviewed. "Right now we are not sure why Roland was there or what exactly prompted the original argument," said Farrell.
As of Monday afternoon, police were still investigating the murder but are confident that they are closing in on the shooter. "We are following up some good leads," said Farrell. Citizens with any new information are asked to call Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS.
