A Coram man has been indicted for allegedly shooting a man outside the victim’s apartment after a dispute over approximately $25 in debt allegedly owed by the victim’s stepson for a marijuana purchase.
On March 22, Dominick Tullon allegedly approached the victim’s apartment with two others seeking to collect a $25 debt owed by the victim’s 16-year-old stepson for the purchase of marijuana. After several minutes of arguing between the victim, his wife, and his stepson on one side, and Tullon and two companions on the other, the victim told his family to go back inside, as the discussion was not productive.
At that point, Tullon allegedly removed a handgun from his fanny pack and fired at the victim and the open doorway to the apartment. Four shots were fired in total. Two bullets struck the victim’s apartment door frame, one bullet entered a neighboring unit, and one struck the victim.
Tullon and his companions fled the scene. Approximately 19 minutes later, Tullon allegedly returned to the scene with his hands raised and was taken into custody.
The victim was transported to a hospital, where he underwent two surgeries. The bullet remains lodged in his spine; doctors have determined that removing it would result in paralysis.
On April 2, Tullo, 18, was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro for the following charges:
- Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a Class B violent felony
- Assault in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony
- Criminal Use of a Firearm in the First Degree, a Class B armed felony
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony
- Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, a Class D felony
“This defendant allegedly fired four shots at this man and his family outside an occupied apartment building, all over a $25 debt,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “The victim is now living with permanent consequences of a bullet lodged near his spine. There is no place in Suffolk County for such careless violence.”
Ambro ordered Tullon remanded during the pendency of the case. Tullon is due back in court on May 19 and faces five to 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count.