NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – A Long Island man pleaded guilty on Wednesday to attempted murder after shooting at a police officer last year while being sought for a robbery, according to prosecutors.
Jayvon Bell, 21, of Amityville, pleaded guilty to multiple charges including attempted robbery for which he was wanted for.
Bell's alleged crime spree began May 10, 2023, when he got into a taxi, pointed what looked like a gun at the driver, and asked for money, according to court documents. Bell took almost $150 from the driver and then ran away.
In another incident on June 3, 2023, Bell was at Bolla Market in Lindenhurst when he got into an argument with an employee when he refused to pay for a soda. He then allegedly told the employee that he had a gun and began to walk out of the store. Before leaving, he allegedly took out what seemed to be a gun and tapped it on the window while threatening the employee, according to the indictment.
On June 21, 2023, Suffolk County police officers in East Farmingdale saw Bell, who was at that time wanted for the previous robbery. When the police officers confronted Bell in a backyard, he pointed a gun at the officers and fired a shot at one of them. The shot missed and struck a fence, according to the indictment.
One of the police officers then fired back at Bell and shot him. Bell was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital to be treated for his non-life-threatening injuries and was then arrested.
According to court documents, the gun Bell used was recovered by police and a video from the residence where the shooting happened was found. Additionally, police body worn camera footage captured Bell pointing the gun towards the officers.
"Jayvon Bell showed complete disregard for human life when he shot at Suffolk County police officers," Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney said. "The officers risked their lives to apprehend the defendant who was wanted for robbery and menacing when the shooting occurred. Thankfully, these officers were not hit, but rather, they acted professionally and even rendered care to save this defendant after the incident."
Bell pleaded guilty to attempted murder of a police officer, attempted robbery and menacing.
He now faces up to 20 years to life in prison and is due back in court on April 4.
