Man Indicted In Fatal Port Jefferson Shooting

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — The man accused of pulling the trigger in a fatal Port Jefferson shooting in March has been indicted, Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini announced Thursday.

Joseph Garcia, 19, of Port Jefferson Station, faces a second-degree murder charge. He is accused of shooting David Bliss Jr., 25, of Shirley, dead on March 24, Sini said. Garcia faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison if convicted.

Bliss Jr. was shot in front of 122 Main St. around 3:35 p.m. and was found on the ground with a gunshot wound, police said. He was later pronounced dead at St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson.

"This is a highly disturbing, tragic case," Sini stated. "The defendant allegedly murdered the victim in broad daylight and in the middle of a busy downtown. We also retrieved video surveillance allegedly showing this individual joking about the shooting a mere 10 minutes after the murder occurred. This incident has devastated the victim’s family and the community at large, and we will do everything in our power to hold the defendant accountable."

Garcia was identified as the accused shooter and arrested on March 27 following an investigation by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office’s Felony Offense Bureau and the Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad, prosecutors said.

Several eyewitnesses gave reports, and surveillance video showed Garcia shoot and kill Bliss before leaving in a vehicle, authorities said. Footage shows Garcia arriving with a gun at a Setauket home approximately 10 minutes after the shooting, officials said. Garcia can be heard admitting to the shooting on a video surveillance camera at the home, Sini said.

Garcia was arraigned virtually Thursday and remanded without bail. He is being represented by George Duncan and is due back in court April 21.

Garcia was charged with second-degree murder (a class A felony), second-degree criminal possession of a weapon (a class C felony), and second-degree criminal contempt (a class A misdemeanor).