NORTH BAY SHORE, SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY – A Suffolk County police officer is recovering after being shot in the face Thursday while investigating a homicide in the quiet neighborhood of North Bay Shore, officials confirmed.

The incident unfolded as officers responded to the discovery of a deceased man, later identified as 66-year-old Eugene Allen, found in the brush on the south side of New York Avenue around 4:35p.m. Wednesday. As police continued their investigation, they sought to question Nieves F. Reyes, 48, a former co-worker of the victim.

Authorities say that as officers attempted to serve a search warrant and question Reyes at his residence, Reyes fired on the officers through an open door. A 33-year-old officer was struck in the face, suffering a fractured cheekbone. A surgeon at Stony Brook University Hospital stated the bullet lodged near the officer’s ear, just a half-inch from his eye. The officer was hospitalized and is now in stable condition.

Following a brief standoff, Reyes surrendered to police shortly after 6a.m. Thursday and was taken into custody without further incident. He is awaiting arraignment on murder charges.

The series of events have left local residents shocked in an area known for its tranquility. Suffolk County authorities assured the community that the wounded officer is expected to recover and that the investigation remains ongoing as charges are prepared against Reyes.

What led to Reyes surrendering early Thursday morning in North Bay Shore

Nieves Reyes surrendered early Thursday morning in North Bay Shore after firing multiple shots at police officers, including striking a Suffolk County officer in the face, as they attempted to execute a search warrant related to a homicide investigation at his residence. After the gunfire and the wounding of an officer, police established a perimeter and initiated a standoff. Reyes eventually surrendered to authorities without further incident, leading to his arrest on murder and related charges. News reports do not indicate that Reyes made specific demands or negotiated terms; the situation concluded with his peaceful surrender following the police response to the shooting.