Suffolk County Police arrested Nicholas D’Agostino, 20, of Yonkers on Thursday, May 18 in connection with the fatal shooting of West Babylon, also 20, on a train on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 Suffolk resident Yusef Staine. , approximately 1:45 AM
He was charged on Friday, May 19 with:
- Second-degree murder, a Class A felony;
- Second Degree Crime for Possession of a Weapon, Class C Violent Felony.
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said D’Agostino allegedly “executed a man he considered a friend.
“The defendant thought he could get away with it because he wore a mask and fled Suffolk, but he was clearly wrong.
“Thanks to the extensive investigative work done by our prosecutors, investigators and police in Suffolk, we were able to identify the defendant and charge him with this brutal murder.”
As detailed in the investigation and indictment:
On Sunday, February 13, 2022, D’Agostino arrived in Waitanche after traveling from Arizona to visit victims.
On Tuesday, February 15, 2022, D’Agostino and Staine, along with two other friends, traveled from Waitanche to New York City on the Long Island Rail Road.
Surveillance video provided by Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) police shows Stein and D’Agostino then returning to Suffolk County together in the early hours of Wednesday, February 16, 2022.
After missing their train stop at Waitanche, the pair arrived at Ronkonkoma station before boarding a westbound train – back to Waitanche.
D’Agostino, who was walking behind Stein, shot him in the back of the head as he boarded the train car. As Stein fell to the ground, D’Agostino shot him in the torso.
The Suffolk County Medical Examiner later determined Stein died of a gunshot wound.
The investigation further revealed that immediately after the fatal shooting, D’Agostino fled the train station and then fled Suffolk. Law enforcement collected a trove of surveillance footage that tracked D’Agostino’s every move before, during and after the murder.
Police were also able to track his location based on cell phone data.
D’Agostino, who is held without bail, faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison if convicted on the highest count only, but is eligible for 40 years to life in prison.
D’Agostino’s next court date is scheduled for Wednesday, June 14.
This is still a developing story. Check back to Daily Voice for updates.
Click here Follow Daily Voice Nassau and receive free news updates.
