Manhunt For Man Who Killed Four At L.I. Pharmacy

Images of the suspect

Police are reviewing surveillance video of the man who opened fire at a Long Island pharmacy, killing four people, yesterday after 10 a.m. The victims were the 45-year-old pharmacist at Haven Drugs, two customers, ages 33 and 71, and a 17-year-old pharmacy worker who was supposed to graduate from high school this week. Suffolk County Police Det. Lt. Gerard Pelkofsky said, "It appears at this time that there was one person involved, but that's also under investigation."

The Medford pharmacy is located in a shopping plaza; a cardiologist who also works in the plaza told Newsday that the owner placed security cameras recently after some armed robberies, "But see, cameras don't prevent these things. They only help after." Pharmacy owner Vinoda Kudchadkar was originally supposed to open the store, but he decided to attend religious services. When he arrived at the scene, he collapsed.

The four victims—Jennifer Mejia, 17; pharmacist Raymond Ferguson, 45; and customers Bryon Sheffield, 71, and Jamie Taccetta, 33—were killed execution style and the suspect stole prescription drugs. Images of the suspect show a man "in his late 20s or early 30s, about 5-foot-8 with a thin build. He has dark hair and was unshaven or has a dark beard and mustache."

Taccetta's boyfriend, who was waiting in a car, called the police when she did not leave. According to the Post, "[James] Manzella then went in to check on her and discovered the carnage... A police source said investigators are theorizing the assailant was an addict seeking narcotics like OxyContin."

Mejia's father told WCBS 2, "She told me ‘Happy Father’s Day.’ I said ‘OK.’ I feel bad because I didn’t even hold her. She wanted to be a doctor." He told the Daily News, "She said people would come in and demand prescription medicine sometimes. People wanted the strong stuff. This was a heavy-duty pharmacy, not like Duane Reade."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on June 20, 2011 11:29 AM

Comments [rss]

Generic Viagra

Excellent article. You have made
your point and there is not much to argue about. It is like the following
universal truth that you can not argue with: No truth is universal, everything
has its exception. Thanks for the info.

Captain Awesome

I was thinking maybe that the criminal killed everyone because maybe the 17 year old girl recognized him from School but, this guy looks older.. Maybe he was a regular and someone spotted him.. Why kill everyone when you are just looking for drugs.. Someone had to notice him?

ONE_LESS_FIXED_GEAR

There is no rationale. That's the thing with drugs...some POS can drop in on your life for one random moment and destroy everything. I hope they execute this MF'er. He may as well put that gun in his mouth, Suffolk PD, Sheriffs, and NYSP are not going to stop until they find his ass. I'm actually suprised they don't have him yet.

OleS

If new york respected concealed carry there would have only been one victim of this shooting -- the perpetrator

ktinnyc

And you know this how?

Florida has the concealed carry laws you ask for and the murder rates there are higher than in New York.

OleS

Four words: Miami, Orlando, St Petersburg

splicernyc

But at least people there get to talk tough before pissing themselves.

ktinnyc

Isn't that why they invented message boards?

Jennifer

Those are actually pretty decent pictures and surely there are more. I hope they catch this guy within 24 hours.

splicernyc

Some Long Island oxycontin addicted piece of garbage. You had to kill those poor people, didn't you. Worthless pile of filth.

I hope this son-of-a-bitch resists or goes for his gun when they surround him -- I'd like this story to end on a satisfying note.

jambolino

i personally think that suffering through prison for the rest of his life would be worse... but given how our justice system works, and that he might get some light sentence cause of drug dependency.... i think we should take him out back with the shotgun.

splicernyc

I don't want to be cruel or sadistic but making this animal beg for his life might be worth it just this once.

Guest

senseless. these powerful legal drugs are currently much more prevalent, abused, and damaging to society than illegal drugs. violence in pharmacies is on the rise and will continue as pill abusers seek their fix at all costs.

drug abuse is a health problem and until they become violent or thieves, abusers need treatment not incarceration. it is far past the hour to end our war on drugs.

BottomlessChips

What a terrible crime. So senseless.

Eric Gordon

Seriously. Just take the shit and go. Kind of blows my mind that someone could do something like this.

Gombro

This is probably a stupid question, but is he white or black? In one picture he looks white, and in the other one black.

Condolences to the family of the victims. This is a hideous crime.