Body Found In Brentwood Street Leaves Residents On Edge Again
BRENTWOOD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The body of a 34-year-old Brentwood man was found lying in a street late Thursday night.
Police responded to a 911 call about a man lying in the street on American Boulevard around 11:58 p.m.
Authorities said the man, identified as Dewann Stacks, was beaten in the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
His death comes as the community is already shaken from recent gang-related violence, CBS2's Jennifer McLogan reported.
In September, two 15 and 16-year-old best friends were victims of a brutal attack, and two 15 and 19-year-old boys were found murdered.
No one has been charged in their deaths.
A woman who saw Stacks take his last breath said she is done with the neighborhood and plans to move, 1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria reported.
"I'm very serious. I spoke to my husband about the last thing that happened here with the girls, I said to my husband 'I have grandkids, I don't want to live in this area anymore,'" she said.
Her neighbor said she is too frightened to walk her dog.
"It's scary, it's not safe around here anymore," she said.
Police officers went door-to-door searching for clues in the latest homicide.
Luis Almonte, a senior, described the atmosphere at Brentwood High School saying "a lot of people are worried to even walk to school." He also said students are trying to avoid wearing colors associated with gangs.
Suffolk County Police Commissioner Tim Sini said Stacks' death does not appear to be connected to the teens' deaths, but it could also be gang-related, WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reported.
"A 34-year-old male is quite different than some of the other homicides that we've been talking about," he said. "Nonetheless, we understand why people are concerned, and we are going to be out there in force in terms of a visible presence."
Anyone with information is asked to call the Homicide Squad at 631-852-6392 or call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.
