Middle Island man sentenced to 10 years in prison for 2022 shooting at former Mambo Grill

A Middle Island man and known gang member was sentenced to 10 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision on Friday for the 2022 shooting of two people at the former Mambo Grill and Lounge in Riverhead, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. 

Paul Houpe, 30, got into a verbal dispute with two other patrons at the downtown restaurant on May 28, 2022 at 1:20 a.m., according to a press release issued by Tierney’s office yesterday. The altercation continued onto the rear patio of the property, where Houpe fired numerous rounds from a loaded pistol, striking the two patrons multiple times at point blank range. Houpe then fled the scene, according to the press release.

Riverhead Town Police responded to the scene and received video surveillance of the crime, numerous shell casings and Houpe’s cellphone during the investigation, according to the press release. The two victims were transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center for their injuries.

Tierney said the investigation revealed that Houpe changed his hair color in the days following the shooting in an attempt to evade prosecution. He was arrested at his place of employment in Riverhead on July 1. At the time of the shooting, Houpe was on parole from a previous drug-related charge, according to the press release.

Houpe pleaded guilty before Supreme Court Justice John Collins on Feb. 2, 2023 to one count of 2nd degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon and two counts of 1st degree Attempted Assault, both Class C violent felonies. He was originally charged with two counts of 1st degree Attempted Assault, two counts of 2nd degree Assault, two counts of 2nd degree Criminal Use of a Firearm, and two counts of 2nd degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon.