(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced the indictment of Basheer Vinson who is accused of murdering a Bay Shore man in 2020.
“This defendant’s alleged attempt to rob the victim as he was leaving a party with friends ended in a senseless tragedy,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This individual will now have to face the consequences of his actions and our office will work tirelessly to make sure we bring justice to the victim and his loved ones.”
According to the investigation, on August 2, 2020 at about 2:05 a.m., Vinson and a second un-apprehended individual allegedly approached Mark Birthwright, 26, as he left a house party on Patton Avenue in Wyandanch. Vinson demanded money, and a scuffle between Birthwright and the defendant occurred which resulted in Vinson’s baseball cap being knocked to the ground. Vinson allegedly pulled a handgun and fired a single shot which struck Birthwright in the chest. One of Birthwright’s friends ran toward Birthwright, and the defendant allegedly fired another shot which struck the friend in the torso. Vinson ran off without getting any money. Birthwright was pronounced dead at the scene, while the friend was taken to Good Samaritan with non-life threatening injuries. Vinson’s DNA was later recovered on the baseball cap, as well as on one of the spent shell casings recovered at the scene. He was arrested on October 4, 2022.
Vinson is charged with:
• One count of Murder in the First Degree, a Class A Felony;
• Two counts of Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A Felony;
• One count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a Class B Felony;
• Two counts of Attempted Robbery in the in the First Degree, a Class C Felony;
• One count of Attempted Assault in the First Degree, a Class C Felony;
• Two counts of Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D Felony;
• Two Counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C Felony.
Today, at his arraignment on the indictment, the Honorable Timothy P. Mazzei ordered Vinson held without bail. The defendant is being represented by John Halverson. His next court date is November, 22, 2022.
This case is being prosecuted by Homicide Bureau Chief Timothy Gough.