Honestly, it has been a brutal start to 2026 for Long Island. People are feeling on edge, and for good reason. Just as we were settling into the new year, a wave of violence hit. The biggest story right now? The breaking news long island shooting involving a 20-year-old man in Wyandanch.
It happened on a Wednesday night. Specifically, January 7th. Around 8:26 p.m., the Suffolk County Police got the call. This wasn't a public plaza or a busy street. It was a backyard. Imagine being at a home on Patton Avenue, thinking you're safe, and suddenly, shots ring out.
The victim, a 20-year-old from Westbury, didn't wait for an ambulance. He got into a car and drove. He made it about a mile to a Shell gas station at the corner of Straight Path and Little East Neck Road in West Babylon. That’s where things got real. Bystanders saw the car pull in, and the 911 calls started flooding in.
The Wyandanch Shooting: What We Know Right Now
Suffolk County detectives are still picking up the pieces. As of Friday, January 16, 2026, the victim is in critical but stable condition.
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Detectives from the First Squad are leading the charge. They haven't named a suspect. No motive, either. It’s that eerie silence from officials that makes the community feel even more rattled. Was it targeted? A random act? They aren't saying yet.
A Timeline of Recent Long Island Violence
But here's the thing: it wasn't just Wyandanch. If you look at the police blotter for the last two weeks, it's basically a map of flashing lights.
- New Cassel Homicide: On New Year's Day, while most people were sleeping off the celebrations, a 40-year-old man was gunned down on Railroad Avenue.
- Uniondale Drug Bust: Yesterday, January 15, police pulled over a white Mercedes on Jerusalem Avenue. They found over 80 grams of crack cocaine.
- Wantagh Weapon Arrest: Just two days ago, a man was picked up on Austin Avenue for criminal possession of a weapon.
It feels like every town is taking a hit. From the breaking news long island shooting in Wyandanch to the robbery of a 15-year-old girl walking her dog in Roosevelt on January 13th, the "quiet suburbs" vibe is definitely under fire.
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Why Long Island Is Feeling Different Lately
There is a growing sense of frustration among residents. You can see it in the letters to the editor in Newsday. People are arguing over the fatal shooting of Renee Good in Huntington Station. Protesters were out in force last Saturday.
Some say the police are being too aggressive. Others say they aren't being aggressive enough. It’s a mess.
And then there's the school situation. Earlier this week, a 15-year-old was caught with a loaded gun at Long Island City High School in Queens. Yeah, it's NYC, but that’s right on the border, and many LI kids commute or have family there. It’s too close for comfort.
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The Investigation in Wyandanch
Back to Patton Avenue. The police are looking for anyone who saw anything. They need doorbell camera footage. They need that one witness who saw a car speeding away.
If you have a tip, you can call Crime Stoppers at 800-220-TIPS. You stay anonymous. They just want the shooter off the streets before someone else gets hurt in another backyard.
What You Should Do Today
Staying safe isn't just about locking doors anymore; it's about being aware.
- Check your surveillance: If you live near Patton Avenue or the West Babylon Shell station, go back through your footage from the night of Jan 7th.
- Stay Informed: Follow the Nassau and Suffolk County Police Department "News Flash" feeds. They update these daily with arrests and incidents.
- Community Meetings: Keep an eye on local civic association pages. Like James Edstrom in Hunters Point, many local leaders are calling for emergency meetings to discuss the "spasm of violence."
The breaking news long island shooting in Wyandanch is a stark reminder that things can change in a second. We’re waiting for the First Squad to make an arrest. Until then, keep your eyes open and stay safe out there.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check the official Nassau County Police or Suffolk County Police websites for the latest incident reports in your specific zip code to stay updated on local safety alerts.