Hempstead man indicted for Stop & Shop shooting in West Hempstead

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A 31-year-old Hempstead man, Gabriel DeWitt Wilson, was indicted on murder, attempted murder and weapons charges on Friday for a shooting at a Stop & Shop in West Hempstead on April 20. 

Wilson was arraigned before Judge Helene F. Gugerty on one count of murder in the second degree; four counts of attempted murder in the second degree; two counts of assault in the first degree, and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. Wilson was remanded and is due back in court on July 7. If convicted of the top charge, Wilson faces a potential maximum sentence of up to 25 years to life in prison, according to the Nassau County District Attorney's office. Wilson pleaded not guilty on all charges.

Around 11:30 a.m. on April 20, police said, DeWitt Wilson shot and killed 49-year-old employee Ray Wishropp, a father from Valley Stream, and wounded two others, including 26-year-old and 50-year old victims, sending surrounding school districts and homes throughout the area into lockdown.

DeWitt Wilson had met with Stop & Shop's manager and requested a transfer to another shop about an hour earlier, according to NCPD Commanding Officer Stephen Fitzpatrick. Nassau County police captured the suspect in Hempstead after a massive search later that afternoon. 

Jared Rosenblatt, chief of the Nassau County District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Senior Litigation Counsel Stefanie Palma are prosecuting the case. Wilson is represented by Brian J. Carmody, Esq.

Calls to Carmody requesting a comment  were not immediately returned on Friday.