Riverhead Shooter, a Repeat Offender, Receives Decades-Long Prison Sentence for Firing on Crowd

On Wednesday, February 28, Messiah Booker, a 38-year-old resident of Riverhead, found himself facing a severe consequence in Suffolk County Court. Following a conviction by a jury on over half a dozen charges, Booker was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. The legal proceedings stemmed from his involvement in a troubling incident that took place at Riverhead's Riverpointe Apartments in May 2022. Prosecutors detailed that Booker engaged in a heated argument with a teenager in the complex's parking lot on May 20, 2022. The confrontation escalated, leading Booker to threaten the teen with a firearm. Subsequently, he retrieved a loaded gun from a fanny pack in his Jeep, causing the teen to flee. The culmination of these events resulted in the substantial prison sentence handed down by the court.

The sentencing of Messiah Booker to 25 years to life in prison occurred subsequent to a jury's verdict, finding him guilty on over half a dozen charges linked to a broad daylight shooting at Riverhead's Riverpointe Apartments in May 2022. The jury's decision reflected the gravity of Booker's involvement in the incident, adding significant weight to the sentencing outcome in Suffolk County Court on February 28.

Prosecutors detailed that on May 20, 2022, at the East Main Street complex, Messiah Booker engaged in a confrontation with a teenager in the parking lot. The disagreement escalated, culminating in Booker threatening to shoot the teen. The unfolding events set the stage for the subsequent legal proceedings that led to his conviction and substantial prison sentence.

Following the escalation of the confrontation, Messiah Booker retrieved a loaded gun from a fanny pack in his Jeep. As he unveiled the weapon, the teen swiftly fled the scene, marking a critical moment in the sequence of events leading to Booker's legal repercussions.

Shortly thereafter, the teen's relatives arrived at the complex, sparking a confrontation with Booker. This dispute drew the attention of a growing crowd of onlookers, creating a tense scene in front of the building.

According to prosecutors, Booker returned to his Jeep, retrieved the same firearm, and proceeded to fire at one of the individuals in the gathered crowd. Unfortunately, the bullet ricocheted off the ground, inadvertently striking another victim in the arm. This reckless act further intensified the gravity of Booker's charges.

Attempting to evade consequences, Booker fled the scene on foot. However, his escape was short-lived as the US Marshals Service apprehended him days later, ensuring accountability for his actions.

During the search of Messiah Booker's Jeep by Riverhead Town Police, a troubling inventory was revealed. Among the discoveries were cocaine and morphine, 9mm ammunition, walkie-talkies, and a tactical vest. Additionally, authorities recovered a digital scale, drug packaging materials, four cell phones, and an excess of $1,000 in cash. These findings provided additional context to the legal proceedings, shedding light on the extent of Booker's involvement in illicit activities.

On Tuesday, February 27, jurors rendered a guilty verdict against Messiah Booker, convicting him on a range of charges. These charges include two counts of criminal possession of a weapon (felonies), four counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance (felonies and misdemeanors), criminally using drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor), and menacing (misdemeanor). This comprehensive verdict reflected the severity and diversity of Booker's offenses.

During the shooting incident, Messiah Booker was on parole, having been previously convicted in 2017 for attempted burglary related to his involvement in a home-invasion burglary. This prior conviction underscored a history of criminal activity that would later play a role in the severity of his sentencing. Records indicate that Booker had a troubling track record, including five felony convictions, with two of them classified as violent felonies.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney emphasized the importance of accountability with Booker's sentence, stating, "With this sentence, we want the public to know that we are holding perpetrators of violence accountable." The district attorney's statement highlights the commitment to ensuring that individuals with a history of violent offenses face the consequences of their actions, serving as a deterrent to potential offenders and reinforcing the significance of accountability in the justice system.

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