A Baldwin man admitted guilt Thursday in the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old college athlete who was struck by a stray bullet during a house party in Hempstead last November.
Jacob McMillan, 18, pleaded guilty June 4 before Nassau County Court Judge Helene Gugerty to second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon in connection with the death of Amira McCleod, 19, of St. Albans, Queens.
McMillan is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 11 and is expected to receive a prison sentence of 20 years to life.
According to prosecutors, the shooting occurred at about 10:50 p.m. on Nov. 22, 2025, at a house party on Willow Avenue in Hempstead.
Authorities said McMillan attempted to enter the party but refused a pat-down requested by the host. He then pulled out a handgun and fired two shots at the person conducting the search, striking the victim in the arm.
Prosecutors said McMillan fled south on Kennedy Avenue before turning and firing another shot. The bullet passed through the shoulder of a second victim and struck McCleod in the head, killing her instantly. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The two other victims were transported to local hospitals and treated for their injuries.
Donnelly said in a release that McMillan could have walked away from the party when asked to submit to a pat-down search.
“Amira was innocent; enjoying her friendships and her youth when her life was shockingly and tragically cut short by this defendant’s violent outburst,” Donnelly said in the release. “This plea ensures justice for Amira and the countless people who loved her.”
Investigators said McMillan hid in a backyard near the scene before leaving the area in a ride-share vehicle that dropped him near his home in Baldwin.
Authorities identified him through surveillance footage, including video from the Baldwin Long Island Rail Road station, a Nassau Inter-County Express bus route and a doorbell camera near the party location.
McMillan was arrested Dec. 2, 2025, by Nassau County police homicide detectives and members of the department’s Bureau of Special Operations.
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Brian Rodriguez of the Homicide Bureau and Deputy Bureau Chief Paula Cajdler of the Narcotics, Firearms and Gangs Bureau, under the supervision of Homicide Bureau Chief Michelle Lewisohn and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for the Litigation Division Daryl Levy.
The defendant is represented by Brian Carmody, Esq.
