UPDATE: Two Dead After Attempted Robbery at Seaford Pharmacy [VIDEO]
Law enforcement agent shot during struggle dies; suspect killed at the scene by another officer.
Update: Dec. 31, 9:30 p.m.
A suspect and a law enforcement agent are both dead after an attempted armed robbery at Charlie's Family Pharmacy in Seaford Saturday afternoon.
According to police, around 2 p.m., a white male in his 40s entered the pharmacy with a gun and attempted to rob the store. Det. Lt. Kevin Smith said that the suspect left the store with an indeterminate amount of cash and Oxycontin when he was confronted by three law enforcement officers; two off-duty and one retired.
Shooting ensued and one of the officers was struck by gunfire and taken to the Nassau University Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries, police said.
The suspect was then shot and killed by another one of the officers at the scene, Smith said.
The deceased officer was an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
A witness from Seaford told Patch that she pulled up to the front of the pharmacy with her 13-year-old son shortly after the shooting and saw two bodies on the ground -- one of which was being attended to by paramedics. The witness also said that she saw another man handing his gun to officers at the scene.
The name of the suspect and officer have not yet been released.
This is a breaking news story, Patch will update the story with more details when they are made available.
Jaime Sumersille contributed to this report.
Franken Harpo
8:24 pm on Saturday, December 31, 2011
http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/cops-fatal-shooting-at-seaford-drugstore-1.3420698
A suspected robber and a federal law enforcement agent were fatally shot Saturday afternoon when a Seaford pharmacy robbery was interrupted by an off-duty New York City police officer, law enforcement sources said.
The officer struggled with the man who had just held up Charlie's Family Pharmacy on Merrick Road, and shot him outside the store's front door, according to sources close to the investigation.
Within seconds, a retired Nassau County police lieutenant at the scene shot an off-duty Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agent who also was responding to the robbery.
The suspected robber was pronounced dead at the scene. The federal officer, identified as agent Jonathan Capano, died later at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow.
ATF Special Joe Anarumo, said Saturday night that Capano, who lived "in the Seaford area," was married with two children. A certified explosives expert, Capano served 23 months in Afghanistan and Iraq, Anarumo said without identifying which branch of the service.
Ralph McGraw
8:26 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
Not being at the scene of this incident, I wonder which version is true?
Jeff Trenkle
9:51 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
no s#$% ralph ... I am with you
Franken Harpo
10:35 pm on Saturday, December 31, 2011
http://www.longislandpress.com/2011/12/31/police-investigate-robbery-report-at-seaford-pharmacy/
Multiple area news outlets cited anonymous sources offering varying accounts how the shooting unfolded. Newsday reported that the ATF agent was shot by one of the other officers. The New York Times reported the agent may have been shot by the suspect. And The Wall Street Journal reported someone said the gun the suspect was believed to be carrying may have been fake.
Diane Stephan
12:33 am on Sunday, January 1, 2012
However the facts unfold, this is a sad situation.
RIP Officer Capano. Condolences to his family.
JoAnna
6:27 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
Exactly. RIP Officer.
Patricia
7:05 am on Sunday, January 1, 2012
I think the whole world has gone nuts. You hear this horrible kind of news every day. So many drug addicts out there. So sad for the family of the officer.
Jeff Trenkle
9:55 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
who are you to say what is clean and dirty for others to consume... that type legislation is the only reason the officer is dead... more officers kill themselves than other people killing officers... do you want to talk about that and how to address that situation? I eat candy, you call me an addict, and what I consume or not is subject to your approval?>?? please, diva, please
Jeff Trenkle
9:57 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
this world has come to its lowest statistical human on human physical conflict lever ever, and you are still just crying for yourself... pathetic
Donald Barnes
8:08 am on Sunday, January 1, 2012
I feel very sad for the officer who was killed.What was the point in losing your life trying to arrest a perp when you are off duty. Maybe they should have called for backup.
Diane Stephan
9:26 am on Sunday, January 1, 2012
I get your point, but how would you feel if you were being attacked or robbed and knew that there was an off duty officer nearby carrying and weapon who did nothing?
It's instict for these officers to react to a situation. The only one to blame for this is the skell druggie who caused the tragic chain of events.
Eric S
11:39 am on Sunday, January 1, 2012
Because it's the job they do and the duty they answer. Called for back-up? There were 3 of them and a bad guy trying to escape...there wasn't time for back-up. This isn't the movies, no two events are ever the same and therefore the response can't be calculated precisely. They have to read the scene, go with their training and make decisions in seconds...often times less than a second.
Karen
11:48 am on Sunday, January 1, 2012
All I have to say is that I am glad YOU are not a police officer. Do us all a favor and NEVER apply for the job. I worked eight years as a police dispatcher and the one thing that is an unspoken fact is that when one is a police officer,it is 24/7,NOT just when you are on the time clock. Thank GOD for people like that,and SHAME ON YOU for even suggesting that the police officer do nothing.
Ken
2:42 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
It is always easy to play the cards the right way, once the hands have been shown
Donald Gifford
5:44 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
I understand your point Donald, but their job is 24/7/365. As long as there's anything going down, off duty or not; its his job too protect society on/off duty. May his family be comforted, and may he rest in peace.
JoAnna
6:30 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
An Officer, whether he is on or off duty will do his job. I am just sorry his family lost him. He was a police officer at ALL times, no matter what.
jeanne
8:10 am on Sunday, January 1, 2012
when is it going to stop
cindy
10:33 am on Sunday, January 1, 2012
It's not. It's just going to get worse.
Eric S
11:44 am on Sunday, January 1, 2012
We will reverse this trend when the judiciary system stops making deals with criminals. I'm willing to bet we're going to find the suspect had a lenghty criminal record, and one most reasonable people will feel he had no business being free among the law abiding citizens. When will this happen? When We The People demand it happen.
Carol DiStasio
8:55 am on Sunday, January 1, 2012
What a sad and tragic situation. I was in a store 2 doors down from the pharmacy. The officers and EMS on the scene were very professional. Merrick Road was closed and a crine scene, you could not leave. I did go out the back door for some fresh air and saw several teenagers who worked at a store that had closed. They did not witness the shooting but were visably upset. I talked with them to calm them down and suggested they call their parents to let them know they were OK. News reporters were all over and most people could not believe that this could happen. Sadly, this can happen anywhere and it happens way too often. My heartfelt sympathies to the the family of the ATF Agent who was killed. He is an American hero who served in our military and who survived the war in the Middle East, to be killed so close to home is very sad.
Cathy
10:27 am on Sunday, January 1, 2012
R.I.P. Officer John Capano. Even risking his life when he was off duty. After risking his life in Afganistan for our freedom. What a horrible tragedy. Im so sick of the lives lost over these prescription drugs. I dont know what the answer is. But something has to change.
JoAnna
6:34 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
The fact that he also defended our country makes this incident even worse. I just feel so bad for him. His family.
Jon L.
10:35 am on Sunday, January 1, 2012
Sadly David Laffer has changed the way pharmacy robberies will be dealt with much the same way al-Qaeda and Usama bin Laden changed the way we deal with hijackings. Perpetrators of prescription drug robberies will be met with deadly force by anyone available to use it.
Special Agent Capano and the other officers who were there did just that. Sadly SA Capano lost his life doing so.
David Rosenthal
11:31 am on Sunday, January 1, 2012
Get a grip on Oxycontin incidents. Happened once too often. Assemblyman Saladino's legislation needs to be passed NOW!!!! Must identify patients who abuse the drug BEFORE incidents like this occur.
Afraid this is another incident where a law enforcement officer gets shot and killed by another law enforcement officer. Let us get a full account of what had happened. The public deserves a full account. Something is not right.
Jeff Trenkle
10:06 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
why not let patients abuse and take of themselves if they are indeed the ones being abusive?
Henry E. Leinen
12:05 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
Why did the cop shoot the fed?
William Drake
2:06 pm on Tuesday, January 3, 2012
He thought the fed was a criminal and believed by shooting first and then asking questions he would become famous and lauded as a 'hero'. While he may have indeed become famous, most would not consider him much of a hero.
Pastor Kat
12:31 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
What a way to end a horrid year: 2011. As a retired police commander I extend my condolences to the entire B.A.R.T. Family, (ATF) and all law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line every moment of every day who feel this loss. The last three days of 2011 ended with the deaths of three: Special Agent Capano, 12/31; Officer Shawn Schneider, Lake City, MN,12/30; FBI Special Agent Daniel Knapp, 12/29, totaling 173 Peace Officers killed in in 2011, a jump of 13%. All or most of this over those who kill for gangs, drugs, or to the loss of jobs, homes and families due to the economic situation world-wide, or just plain lack of concern or care for their fellow man. God help us all. My prayers are with the families and associates off all those who perished in the past year and for those who go on trying to shovel sand into the winds...Their "End Of Watch" does not go without notice.
Jeff Trenkle
10:09 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
legislative writes the law, judicial interprets the law, and the executive branch, the do branch does the work... when the legislature bows to the fears of the constituents that are afraid and bang on them well, chaos is legislated... innocent law enforcement agents and inncent citizens, consumers for sure, get attacked by those afraid of people whether or not their biomolecular structure is this way or that... mad love for do branchers, hellz yeah
Ralph Nesberino
12:34 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
This Ocycontin robbery has happened at the doorstep of Representative Peter King. We must consider if this type of incident be under the control of the Federal Government. A clear policy by the feds might be needed. This problem is not just in New York. Anyone who really needs the drug can and will "doctor shop" outside New York State. We need Rep Peter King to help in shaping a policy throughout the country. We need a sound policy now not later!!
Jon L.
1:08 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
Thank you Matt!
Ken
1:15 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
Is the current policy on opiates and their control being fostered by the drug manufacturers or the government? Is the tail wagging the dog or who is playing the lead?
Pam Robinson
1:18 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
To some of our posters: please. You don't have to worship police officers to have the decency to avoid dancing on their graves. Please stop.
Diane Stephan
5:52 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
Thank you Pam. The old saying, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all. Especially in this situation.
Silas P. Gumbody
1:24 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
Well, that's the new breed of "journalists". They don't even tell you in which State it occurred! Nassau? Oh, in the Bahamas?
Pequa Mom
1:27 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
John Capano was a loving husband to his wife, and a wonderful Dad to his two beautiful children. John volunteered freely of his time to his community, and his country. He was someone to be looked up to and respected. It is our loss to lose someone like him, especially under these circumstances, and to yet another drug related incident. My condolences go out the entire Capano family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. He died a hero, protecting the citzens of Seaford and Massapequa in the area that day.
Publius
4:34 pm on Monday, January 2, 2012
My sincere condolences to the Capano family. I understand that John's mother died on December 18 and now this. I can't imagine the grief that his father must be feeling. This is a horrible, tragic story and I am thankful that John Capano was there to stop this criminal from hurting anyone else. He is a true hero.
THE FABULOUS JOHNNY G.
1:44 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
John Capano --->>> HERO = A MYTHOLOGICAL OR LEGENDARY FIGURE OFTEN OF DIVINE DESENT, ENDOWED WITH GREAT STRENGTH AND ABILITY, A WARRIOR, A PERSON ADMIRED FOR THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS AND NOBLE QUALITIES, ONE WHO SHOWS GREAT COURAGE.......LORD, WHERE DO WE GET SUCH MEN?...........THANK GOD FOR THE BLOOD OF HERO'S!
~~~~~~~~~~~ "THE INCREDIBLY FABULOUS JOHNNY G." ~~~~~~~~~~~
--UNITED STATES COAST GUARD, RETIRED --DISABLED AMERICAN VETERAN --
--------------- PATRIOT GUARD RIDER -- WE RIDE WITH RESPECT --------------
Jeff Trenkle
1:45 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
Law enforcement agents are the heroes in society... They fight the fires that flare up in the heads of those in society. They are trying.
Jeff Trenkle
1:46 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
I have no idea why we do not simply give people the 'drugs' they crave to seed self reflection, rather than this 'forbidden fruit' policy that fuels rebellion...
Franken Harpo
2:18 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
"I have no idea why we do not simply give people the 'drugs' they crave to seed self reflection, rather than this 'forbidden fruit' policy that fuels rebellion..."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not a good idea...some folks crave cash to seed their self reflection, others crave their neighbors' kids, others crave the fortunes of the wealthy to seed their self reflection.
Maybe it is time for them to crave the hard work ethic, the devotion to family, the respect of their neighbors and their neighbor's property, and maybe it is time to hold their family members responsible for unleasing these monsters on the rest of our law abiding society.
Jeff Trenkle
9:48 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
Franken Harpo... your fears of others you well documented... if you have a consumption control lust over others, I see you as the threat... You will not be happy unless others live by your rules? people like you that cast and assume knowledge of good and evil, project earth as an evil place... and when you see a self fulfilling prophesy of the same... you are the problem
Jeff Trenkle
9:49 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
whole lot of fear of what others may or may not do Franken Harpo... I want to see an end of fear... that means you either learn or leave
debbie dunn
2:56 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
All i can say is WOW! Its getting worse by the day.
John D
3:34 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
Between the drug addicts and the drunk drivers, they are killing innocent people. Time to get tough with these idiots and put them away. No 3 strikes and you're out. You hurt someone, you are locked up. And yes - build more jails and hire more corrections officers and make the judges give real sentences out - not paroles or pardons.
Just stop with these mass murderers!
David Cramer
4:25 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
As much as I hold law enforcement in reverence for the job they do I can't understand how so many of them are killed or injured during confrontations with these low life thugs.
nony
4:32 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
Because a lot of times they are shot by fellow officers. And by the way, if I was an officer and see somebody comit a crime and is not shooting or trying to kill anyone at the time of my observation, I will be very loathe to attempt to stop him from escaping with deadly force.
nony
4:29 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
I would rather tthe bad guy had escaped and the off duty officer remains alive.
Ed Weiss
6:04 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
It's heartbreaking that the off duty fed got killed in this incident. But i feel he did the right thing in trying to apprehend the robber. If the robber got away, what would he do next time when he needed more oxy, maybe shoot innocent people in another drugstore robbery. As in the Lauffer robbery they could be your kids, your mom or dad your pharmacist. These violent drug addicts need to be stopped.
V-Bottom
4:47 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
Dude wasn't fighting for MY freedom....he may have been fighting for someones else's freedom..AFG's freedom or Suddams bunch, but not me. I am already free..RIP
Ralph Nesberino
5:58 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
Day after day we hear discussions on stopping terrorism within our boarders and the logistics relating to the coordination of forces to combat terrorists.
Just think, Nassau County has a hard time in controlling crime scenes within the county!! How can we think in national terms when we cannot control our forces in our own back yard? Precious lives are being lost all to often. We need answers not finger pointing.
Jen G
6:21 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
It's not worth losing one's life over someone who is robbing a pharmacy or store. He was already in possession of what he went in for, leaving the store and it's occupants unharmed. The guy could have been followed by car until backup arrived. Not only is the suspect dead but so is a LE officer. This is the 2nd LE officer shot within a couple of days within a few miles of each other on LI. The incident in East Meadow is a puzzle. Why is a motorist, sitting in his car in a parking lot, confronted by a cop which ends up with the cop being shot with his own gun, then another officer shooting the motorist dead? A report was that the motorist locked his car doors when the cop approached him. How did he wind up out of his car struggling with the officer? Wouldn't using a taser be wiser? If we can drop a charging mega-ton elephant during a safari with a tranquilizergun, then why not a human?????? Please, I don't want to hear that the suspect had a gun. In the East Meadow case, he didn't and he wasn't a 'suspect' just a motorist in his car. No word as to why the officer approached him yet the officer is only injured. The why should have already been revealed. Haven't heard that this guy had a record or was in the process of buying drugs or anything. He was right around the corner from his fiancee. ???? Too many cops and innocent bystanders including grandmas and children have been killed this past year by guns.
Diane Stephan
6:28 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
You sound like you are on Oxycontin.
Mimi
6:24 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
Someone mentioned we hold family members accountable for the criminal. I know this for a fact, many family members try to get help for their family members before they commit crimes. The system lets them out of jail. This is sad that anyone got killed. R.I.P. to the officer and prayers out to this family.
Tammy
6:41 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
The sad part is Officer Johathan Capano served 23 months in The war on Afghanistan and Iraq and come home a hero in my eyes..He served our Country with his heart and soul... He made it home safe...And some Crazy minded American who needed a few bucks took his life!! I'm so sad for the Family and his Brothers in Law Informent...A Great Loss to the American People that need our Law inforcment more then ever now ..So much desperation in the People these days....Rip Officer Capano , you will be missed..And God Bless your Family as they struggle through all this....God Bless our Country men and there service to America......
Mrsm Grant
7:52 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
FRIENDLY FIRE AND WRONGFUL DEATH. Cops HAVING RUBBER BULLETS would HELP THE PUBLIC. EMAIL: POLITICAL CANDIDATES
Ed
7:57 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
Only a fool would shoot rubber bullets, when being shot at with real ones.
Diane Stephan
8:13 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
Rubber bullets? Why not big fluffy pillows?
Get a grip on reality Mrsm Grant.
Ed
7:59 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
Also, this story shouln not have been made public, until it was determined who shot who.
Ed
7:59 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
"should"
Jeff Trenkle
10:13 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
Two more fallen over consumption control lust legislated... this is systemic, repetition... this is not news ... anyone want to talk solutions or only transgressive punishment?
Franken Harpo
10:29 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
Jeff Trenkle posts:
"Franken Harpo... your fears of others you well documented... if you have a consumption control lust over others, I see you as the threat..."
You boldly pontificate and project my supposed fear of others and then immediately and perhaps naively reveal the fear you sense is actually in you soul that you must live with every day as you proclaim "I SEE YOU AS THE THREAT".
I would find it hard to come up with a more "fearful" confession than that. But then again, hopefully you haven't finished posting.
Jeff Trenkle
10:44 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
and if others are expendable before a 'you and yours' mentality... yeah, you are threat to those in my environment
Jeff Trenkle
10:44 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
how you read me now?
Franken Harpo
10:40 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
Jeff Trenkle posts:
"You will not be happy unless others live by your rules?"
Then proclaims the rules he wants others to live by:
".. I want to see an end of fear... that means you either learn or leave"
Now tell us about hypocritical behavior...thank you.
Jeff Trenkle
10:46 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
it is called a dialectic question approach I ask self centered jaded complaints when spoken into the air or written in public forum... you just put others down... your kind... dime a dozen... and need to learn
Jeff Trenkle
10:46 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
you know anything about negative projection... black magick... I do
Franken Harpo
10:49 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
Jeff Trenkle posts:
"...anyone want to talk solutions or only transgressive punishment?"
This after transgressively handing out verbal punishment to every contributor on this forum...maybe he should practice what he preaches, eh?
Hey cupcake...pump out some more transgressive punishment..you are a real beauty.
Jeff Trenkle
11:09 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
cupcake...lol... do you enjoy eight sided rooms? octagons
Jeff Trenkle
11:10 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
all i was saying is that fear of yesterday does not get me angry today... and your cries are so unholy disrespectful
Jeff Trenkle
11:11 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
714-650-9157 ... we can arrange to meet... my eyes hypnotize
Jeff Trenkle
11:12 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
cup cake... please, franken harpo.... is that al franken and oprah hiding, or is that so cruel and you actual name?
Franken Harpo
10:56 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
You have been reduced to a barking dog...so much noise, so much nonsense.
Woof, woof!
Jeff Trenkle
11:13 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
magick is words, and the nonsense you speak means thoughts were scrambled and a success at bespelling
Jeff Trenkle
11:13 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
you will see me in your dreams
Matthew Hogan
11:33 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
Keep the comments civil or the comment stream for this story will be shut down.
Thank you,
Matthew Hogan
Associate Regional Editor
Andrew Coen
11:34 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
Please keep comments respectful or they will be deleted. Thank you.
-
Andrew Coen
Wantagh-Seaford Patch Editor
Franken Harpo
12:02 am on Monday, January 2, 2012
Representative Pete King had known John Capano since he was 9 years old.
http://www.localwireless.com/wap/news/text.jsp?carrier=google&sid=10&nid=4023673483&cid=2&scid=-1&title=Eyewitness+News&ith=0
Ralph McGraw
11:06 pm on Monday, January 2, 2012
My whole hearted sympathy to the Capano family. They perform a very dangerous job. One that I don't think that I could do. If all of us could support those that do these jobs. Just maybe we could have a safer country.
Jon L.
3:07 pm on Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Again this perp displayed a weapon (real or not) and that changes everything.
That dirtbag David Laffer changed the way anyone would react in this situation cop or not. Anyone with a firearm would have lit this perp up. Much the same way any one (including myself) would stomp the snot out of anyone trying to take control of an aircraft. Right or wrong, that's the world we live in now.
I think that SA Capano's family has the right take on this that the perp Mr.McGoey is soley to blame for the outcome here.