SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y. — Nieves Reyes entered a plea of not guilty on Friday regarding charges of murder and attempted murder in connection with the machete slaying of his coworker, Eugene Allen, and for shooting at several Suffolk County, New York, police officers amid a tense armed confrontation at his residence.
One officer was shot in the face, and prosecutors said Friday he is lucky to be alive.
According to prosecutors, surveillance videos depict Reyes pursuing the victim with a machete, just two hours before Allen’s body was discovered concealed under brush in a wooded location.
The indictment states that Allen sustained numerous chop injuries to his head, neck, torso, and limbs, with near-complete decapitation of the head from the body.
Officials say photos show Reyes returning to his home after fatally stabbing a 66-year-old acquaintance, covered in blood and carrying a machete.
When police surrounded his house, police said Reyes fired five shots from inside in rapid succession and what followed was a multi-hour standoff.
During the incident, authorities report that he specifically aimed at an isolated emergency services officer but instead ended up shooting an Emergency Services vehicle close to where he stood, as per Suffolk County DA Ray Tierney.
A search of the defendant’s house led to the recovery of two shotguns and around 19 rounds of 12 gauge shotshell, with both shotguns determined to be in working order.
Additionally, two sheathed machetes were also found within the home.
Reyes was taken into custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 3. If found guilty of attempted murder in the first degree, he faces 40 years to life imprisonment, and 25 years to life if convicted of murder in the second degree.
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