By Jesse Serwer
Nassau County police said that three masked men wearing dark clothing entered the Publick House, at 150 S. Long Beach Road, at 3 a.m. Saturday, produced guns and demanded cash from the bar¹s owner, Eddie Ross. Ross was not harmed, but two other men, Richard Callahan and Michael Small, both customers from Rockville Centre, were shot from behind when they emerged from the men¹s room and attempted to leave the bar.
³When the initial confrontation occurred, it was just the bartender who was visible,² said Detective Sgt. Dennis Barry of the Nassau County Homicide Squad, which is investigating the incident ³due to the vicious nature of the crime,² said Barry.
³These two men walked out, Callahan heads for the door, and Small was put down at gunpoint on the floor. He provided no resistance, but despite that fact was shot twice in the back while he was lying prone,² Barry said.
The suspects fled with $952 in cash, and both victims were transported to nearby South Nassau Communities Hospital. Small was listed in serious condition at the hospital, where he required a breathing tube. Callahan was treated for a gunshot wound in his left buttock and released.
The assailants are believed to be three black men, between 5 feet 8 and 5 feet 11. At the time of the robbery and shooting they were wearing hats, hoods, gloves and ski masks. Detectives have not made any connection between this and any other crimes.
Detectives request that anyone with information about the crime contact Nassau County Police Crime Stoppers at (800) 244-TIPS.
Comments about this story? JSerwer@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 221.
