Long Island man found guilty in bar shooting that left a 23-year-old father paralyzed.
A Long Island man has been found guilty of attempted murder in connection with a bar shooting in Freeport that occurred in July 2023, resulting in the severe paralysis of a young father. Prosecutors from Nassau County announced the conviction of 34-year-old Tiray Clemmons of Hempstead on Wednesday.
The incident transpired during the evening of July 12, 2023, at a bar located on the Nautical Mile in Freeport, known as Agua on the Mile. Following a dispute with the bar’s manager, Clemmons was ejected from the premises. Reports indicate that he became enraged after being denied reentry and subsequently returned to the crowded outdoor bar armed with a firearm.
District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly detailed that Clemmons opened fire indiscriminately, discharging six rounds from a .357 caliber handgun. His actions inflicted serious injuries on two individuals. A 23-year-old security guard, who was working at the bar, was shot in the back, resulting in catastrophic damage to his spinal cord. This tragic outcome has left him paralyzed from the neck down, rendering him unable to care for his three-year-old daughter and requiring long-term care in a nursing facility.
Additionally, another patron was struck twice—once in the neck and once in the scrotum—and also necessitated hospitalization following emergency surgery. The severity of the victims’ injuries highlights the profound consequences of gun violence in public spaces.
Following the incident, Clemmons attempted to evade law enforcement but was apprehended shortly thereafter. Police divers subsequently recovered the firearm used in the shooting from the Woodcleft Canal, located behind the bar, four days after the event. Clemmons was charged with multiple offenses, including two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault, and various weapon-related charges.
After deliberating for less than five hours, a Nassau County jury delivered a unanimous conviction on all counts against Clemmons. He is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on October 16, where he faces a possible sentence of up to 50 years in prison. This case underscores the ongoing issues surrounding gun violence and its impact on victims and communities alike, prompting renewed discussions about safety and accountability in public venues.
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