A Suffolk County police officer is recovering after being shot in the face while attempting to serve a search warrant in connection with a North Bay Shore homicide.
According to Long Island News 12, Nieves Reyes, 48, has been charged with multiple felonies, including second-degree murder and the attempted murder of a police officer after an early morning confrontation on July 24, 2025.
Authorities arrived at Reyes’s home on New York Avenue early Thursday morning to serve a court-authorized search warrant following the death of 66-year-old Eugene Allen. Allen’s body had been found the previous day in a brush-covered area across the street from Reyes’s residence. Reyes allegedly responded to the officers’ presence by opening fire.
Officer survives gunshot wound to the face
During the gunfire, a 33-year-old Suffolk County police officer was struck in the face. The bullet fractured the officer’s cheekbone and ultimately lodged beneath his ear. According to physicians, the shot missed vital areas by a margin that made the difference between survival and potentially permanent or fatal injury.
Dr. James Vosswinkel, who treated the officer, said even a slight difference in trajectory could have had devastating results. “If that was over half an inch, if that was at a different angle,” Vosswinkel said, “unfortunately, he's at least blind, if not with us anymore.” The injured officer is recovering at Stony Brook University Hospital. He has served on the police force for two years and is a Navy veteran who previously worked as a combat medic. He is married and has three children.
Reyes in custody, arraignment scheduled
Reyes was taken into custody after the shooting, according to police. Video footage showed him being escorted by law enforcement following the incident. He is currently being held without bail and is scheduled to appear in Suffolk County Court on Friday, July 25, 2025.
He is facing several charges, including second-degree murder related to Allen’s death and attempted murder of the officer. At this time, police have not disclosed further details regarding the motive or specific circumstances behind Allen’s alleged homicide. Neighbors reacting to the day’s events expressed varying viewpoints, ranging from concern to relief. Claude Ellis, who lives nearby, described the community's mixed feelings. “It doesn’t shock me,” he said, “but it bothers me to know there’s someone like that in this neighborhood.”
Reactions from law enforcement and residents
Ellis also noted his sense of relief, saying, “It’s a relief knowing someone like that... is somewhere he’s not going to harm anybody.” The incident has left residents coming to terms with both the violence and the swift police response.
Suffolk Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina visited the injured officer in the hospital following the shooting. He described the officer as being in good spirits, mentioning that the officer was smiling and grateful to be alive, even after such a severe ordeal. Suffolk’s Police Benevolent Association First Vice President John Hnat shared a similar reaction. “The officer was in incredible spirits,” said Hnat, emphasizing the resilience and optimism the officer displayed during recovery.
Background of the victim and pending investigation
Authorities are continuing their investigation into both the shooting of the officer and the death of Eugene Allen. Allen’s body was located on July 23, the day before the shooting, prompting police to seek a search warrant for Reyes’s property. Details about how Allen died have not yet been released. Reyes’s arrest marked a violent turn in an already serious homicide investigation, highlighting the potential danger officers face when serving high-risk warrants. The officer's narrow escape from a potentially fatal wound underscores the unpredictable nature of these operations.
Investigators have not publicly stated how Reyes may have known Allen or if there was an ongoing dispute that preceded the homicide. As of now, Reyes remains in custody pending arraignment.
Community shocked by eruption of violence
Thursday’s events have left a significant impact on the North Bay Shore neighborhood, where residents say they had no warning of the violence that would erupt so close to home. Some residents are grappling with the realization that such a serious crime occurred steps away from their houses.
Law enforcement presence in the area remains active as investigators continue processing the crime scene and conducting follow-up interviews. Officials have indicated that there may be additional evidence to collect or analyze as they build the case against Reyes.
While the wounded officer remains hospitalized, community members and department representatives have praised his bravery and service. His quick recovery has brought cautious optimism amid an otherwise harrowing episode for the Suffolk County police force.
