Riverhead man convicted of murder, weapon possession charges after jury trial

A Riverhead man was convicted of murder yesterday in the shooting death of his niece’s boyfriend in East Patchogue on Aug. 18, 2023, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney announced today.

Brent Henry, 61, of Riverhead, was convicted of Murder in the Second Degree and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree after a jury trial for fatally shooting 23-year-old Ines Reyes of East Patchogue.

“Mr. Reyes was one month away from becoming a father when the defendant made the senseless decision to murder him,” Tierney said in a press release.

“We can never give the victim’s daughter the chance to meet her father, but hopefully today’s verdict brings the family some measure of closure,” he said.

The evidence at trial established that on Aug. 18, 2023, Henry and the victim  had a verbal confrontation that turned into a fist fight inside the Bellport home the victim shared with his girlfriend, who is also Henry’s niece, according to the DA’s press release. Following the fight, Reyes and his girlfriend left their Bellport residence and went to a home on Amsterdam Avenue in East Patchogue to be with other family members. A short time later, Henry also arrived at the residence located on Amsterdam Avenue and confronted Reyes in front of the home, where another fist fight ensued. After a brief confrontation, Henry went to his vehicle, retrieved a .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun, and shot Reyes multiple times in front of his girlfriend.

Reyes was rushed to Long Island Community Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead, Tierney said. 

Henry was arrested the next day. 

Henry is facing up to 25 years to life in prison as a result of the three felony convictions. He is due back in court for sentencing on Nov. 7.