Janell Funderburke, 20, of Coram, was formally arraigned at Suffolk County Court on Thursday 25 May on more than a dozen criminal charges including aggravated murder.
According to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, on Thursday, May 11, Suffolk County Police were monitoring the Coram residence on Homestead Drive near Norfleet Lane in Funderburke as part of an armed robbery investigation.
Officer Michael Lafauci spotted him not far from his home and followed him in his unmarked police car.
Funderburke reportedly started running and Lafauci chased him on foot, claiming to be a police officer and ordering the man to put his hands up.
Seconds later, Fenderberg turned around and shot LaFauci twice, hitting him in the right thigh, according to prosecutors.
Funderburke then continued running towards his home. He was arrested shortly after.
Lafauci, who worked in the department for six years, was the father of a baby who later underwent emergency surgery at Stony Brook University Hospital. He was released a week after the shooting.
A later search of Funderburke’s home turned up the same 9mm semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine used in the shooting, along with fentanyl and the controlled substance carisoprodol, according to prosecutors.
“This case is a stark reminder of the grave dangers police officers face every day,” Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said in a statement.
“While I am grateful that Officer Lafauci is finally able to recuperate at home, my office is committed to ensuring that the individuals responsible for this shameless and idiotic act are held accountable.”
According to police, Funderburke was a member of the Bloods street gang and had “numerous contacts with police,” including an arrest for illegal possession of a weapon in August 2022.
In court on Thursday, Funderburke was arraigned on charges of:
- One count of aggravated attempted murder (felony)
- One count of assault in the first degree (felony)
- One count of first-degree robbery (robbery)
- Two counts of third-degree unlawful possession of a controlled substance (felony)
- Two counts of second-degree possession of a weapon (felony)
- Two counts of illegal possession of a weapon in the third degree (felony)
- One count of assault in the second degree (felony)
- One count of 5th degree illegal possession of a controlled substance (felony)
- One count of unlawful possession of a firearm (felony)
- One count of 7th degree illegal possession of a controlled substance (misdemeanor)
The judge ordered him to be jailed without bail. He is due to appear in court again on Monday, June 12.
If convicted, he could face up to 40 years in prison, plus 25 years for the robbery.
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