BELLPORT, N.Y. (1010 WINS) — A Long Island man who fatally shot his neighbor 10 times in 2022 was found guilty of murder on Monday, Suffolk County officials announced.
Shati Smith, 31, of Bellport, was convicted of murder and criminal possession of a weapon in the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Lee Houpe, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said.
At approximately 1:45 p.m. on June 15, 2022, Houpe was standing in a friend's driveway when Smith got out of his car and opened fire on the victim, shooting him three times.
When the victim collapsed to the ground, Smith proceeded to stand over Houpe and shoot him an additional seven times, striking him in the face, arm, and chest, ultimately killing him.
Smith got into his car and fled the scene.
Smith fled to Virginia where he was found by Suffolk County Police officials and then arrested.
Smith allegedly shot Houpe after Houpe questioned him about Facebook messages he'd sent to his 14-year-old cousin, Newsday reported.
"This defendant meant to kill Lee Houpe when he shot him three times and then stood over him shooting him seven more times after he collapsed on the ground," D.A. Tierney said.
"We are tired of burying our youth and watching families get torn apart due to senseless gun violence. Justice was served today, but the true tragedy is that it ever had to come to this," he added.
Smith is due back in court for sentencing on June 5, and faces up to 25 years to life in prison.
