Teen sentenced to seven years for birthday shooting

An Elmont teenager who opened fire on the guests of a birthday party he was attempting to crash was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison last week.

Amir Samuel, 18, of Elmont, was plead guilty to first degree assault in May 2009, and has been awaiting sentencing in Mineola ever since.

“What should have been a night of celebration instead turned tragic because of this defendant’s vindictive and violent actions,”District Attorney Kathleen Rice said in a statement. “He could have easily left this party without incident, but instead chose to commit a senseless act that now puts him behind bars.”

According to information from the District Attorney’s Office, Samuel went to a home on Hoffman Avenue in Elmont late on the evening of June 29, 2008. He was told by the host that he could not enter the party, which was being held in the house’s backyard by the residents.

Once the host told him no, Samuel brandished a pistol, scattering the 50 guests at the party, and then opened fire several times. When the shots had subsided, four people had been injured, including one party guests who had been hit in the leg with three bullets.

None of the guests sustained life-threatening injuries as a result of the shooting.

After opening fire, Samuel took off running but was followed by a witness after other partygoers called 911. Police caught up with him at Fourth Street and Belmont Avenue in Elmont.