Man shot while boarding LIRR train in Bellport; four suspects sought

A man was shot early Friday as he stepped onto a Long Island Rail Road train in Bellport, and police were still looking for the four people they say were involved, according to MTA police.

The 40-year-old victim, who had a bike with him, was waiting for an eastbound Montauk Branch train at about 2:25 a.m., CBS New York reported. When the train pulled in, four people got off and one of them fired a gun toward passengers who were boarding, police said. ABC7 New York reported that words were exchanged between the victim and the group, described as apparently young men, before one of them turned and fired.

The man was hit in the shoulder. He stayed on the train to the next stop, Mastic-Shirley, where officers met him. ABC7 reported he was taken to NYU Langone Hospital-Suffolk in Patchogue in stable condition; CBS New York later reported, citing police, that he had been treated and released.

Search for suspects

The four fled toward the woods beyond the station, according to CBS, and police used drones in the search. MTA police are working with Suffolk County police, ABC7 said. The only description released was that the men were wearing hoodies.

Police ask anyone with information to call the confidential MTA Police tip line at 718-361-2212.

Service impact

Montauk Branch service was suspended between Speonk and Patchogue during the investigation. Service in both directions resumed at 5:14 a.m., officials told CBS New York, though delays lingered into Friday morning.