CORAM, N.Y. (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — A 21-year-old Long Island man pleaded guilty to attempted murder arising out of two separate incidents including the 2023 shooting of a Suffolk County police officer, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney announced Monday.
Janell Funderburke pleaded guilty to attempted aggravated murder and robbery and is expected to be sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.
According to court documents, on May 8, Funderburke arranged to meet two women in the vicinity of his residence on Homestead Drive in Coram. After meeting them, an argument ensued and then escalated to Funderburke pointing a black firearm at them.
Funderburke then threatened to shoot one of the women and stole her money.
At 12:45 p.m. on May 11, a Suffolk County police officer was conducting surveillance in Coram in relation to the May 8, armed robbery investigation when Funderburke was observed walking southbound on Homestead Drive.
The officer pulled up behind Funderburke, exited his unmarked police vehicle, identified himself as a police officer, at which point the Funderburke began to flee, prosecutors said.
The officer ran after Funderburke on foot and ordered him to show his hands.
Funderburke refused to comply with the orders and as he continued to run, he turned back towards the officer, extended a black firearm with his right hand, and fired twice.
The officer was struck in his upper right thigh by one of the bullets and fell to the ground as Funderburke continued to run off towards his residence.
Nearby police immediately administered emergency aid to the officer. He was then rushed to Stony Brook University Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.
Following his arrest, a search warrant was executed at Funderburke’s residence where a loaded 9 mm semiautomatic gun with an extended magazine, fentanyl, and the controlled substance carisoprodol were recovered.
A microscopic ballistic examination of the pistol recovered from Funderburke’s residence was the same pistol used to shoot the officer.
Funderburke is due back in court on July 11.
"Today’s guilty plea is a stark reminder of the critical role that law enforcement plays in upholding justice and maintaining the rule of law. This defendant’s heinous actions in shooting an officer, who had clearly identified himself, and then fleeing demonstrate a blatant and egregious disregard for the very fabric of our legal system," DA Tierney said. "Such acts of violence against those who protect our communities cannot be tolerated and will be met with the full force of justice."