MASTIC, N.Y. — A verdict has been delivered in a tragic case involving a fatal shooting that claimed the life of a local man. On Friday, a jury found James Brown, 45, guilty of murdering his longtime friend Umar Elquhir, also 45, at Brown’s home on the Poospatuck Reservation.
The incident occurred on the evening of November 7, 2023, shortly after Elquhir parked his vehicle outside Brown’s residence. According to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office, Brown emerged from his home, approached Elquhir’s car, and shouted a threatening remark before firing approximately nine shots into the vehicle. Several bullets struck Elquhir, who was seated in the driver’s seat. Following the shooting, Brown reentered his home while Elquhir exited his car and collapsed to the ground.
Despite receiving immediate medical attention at Long Island Community Hospital, Elquhir was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The circumstances surrounding the shooting have raised numerous questions, especially given that Brown and Elquhir had reportedly been friends for many years. Hours before the fatal incident, the two were involved in a physical altercation that was captured on security footage from a smoke shop located nearby.
Investigators used video evidence and forensic analysis to link Brown to the crime. A palm print found on Elquhir’s vehicle matched Brown’s, while surveillance footage corroborated the timeline of events leading up to the shooting. The district attorney emphasized the gravity of the case, stating that a convicted felon had taken the life of a friend in such a violent manner.
Brown has a previous criminal history, having served time from 2012 to 2015 for first-degree assault. During the trial, which spanned around ten days, his defense attorney argued that Brown acted out of self-defense, asserting that he believed Elquhir was brandishing a weapon at him. The defense claimed that Elquhir had a violent background, providing testimony from his daughter, who labeled him “evil.”
Adding complexity to the case, it was revealed that the firearm used in the shooting belonged to Elquhir, who had asked Brown to store it for him due to safety concerns in his neighborhood. Despite this context, the jury found Brown guilty of second-degree murder and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon.
Following the verdict, Brown’s attorney expressed disappointment with the jury’s decision and announced plans to appeal. The defense maintains that Brown believed he acted in self-defense during a moment of crisis, a perspective that will be important as they move forward in seeking to overturn the ruling.
Brown is set for sentencing on June 16, facing a potential prison term ranging from 20 years to life. The case underscores a tragic intersection of friendship, violence, and the legal system, leaving a profound impact on the local community and raising questions about the underlying factors that led to such a devastating outcome.