In the early morning hours of November 26, 2021, a verbal dispute that began over the phone escalated into a fatal encounter for 37-year-old Tyrell Durham in Moriches, New York. The male victim was shot multiple times outside his residence at the Tall Oaks Circle apartment complex. Emergency services transported Durham to Long Island Community Hospital in East Patchogue, but he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.
The events leading to the shooting began with a heated
telephone conversation between Durham and his girlfriend and another couple, Michael Gilbert and his girlfriend. Gilbert overheard the argument and joined in, which led to him challenging Durham to meet him outside. Shortly after the call, Gilbert and his girlfriend confronted Durham and his girlfriend outside their apartment building. It was then that Gilbert, armed with a. 22 caliber semiautomatic handgun, fired multiple shots, striking Durham three times.
In the immediate aftermath, Suffolk County Police detectives began their investigation but did not initially release a motive or name any suspects. However, their efforts quickly led them to 28-year-old Michael Gilbert of Flanders, who surrendered to authorities on December 1, 2021. Gilbert was subsequently charged with second-degree murder in connection with Durham's death.
Michael Gilbert's case proceeded to a jury trial where he was found guilty of second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon in September 2023. During the trial, Durham's girlfriend, who had known Gilbert for years, identified him as the shooter. Gilbert's girlfriend also testified, corroborating the details of the phone argument and stating she saw a gun in Gilbert's hand. Following his conviction, in November 2023, Michael Gilbert was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the murder of Tyrell Durham.
