In what was described as a tragic accident, 18-year-old Wilson Gil-Torres, a Hispanic male, was fatally shot in Copiague, New York, on the afternoon of Friday, March 18, 2016. The incident occurred at a residence on Great Neck Road where Gil-Torres was with his close friend, Nefi Reyes, who was also 18. Both teenagers were seniors at Copiague High School and were reportedly best friends.
According to Suffolk County authorities, Reyes was showing Gil-Torres a. 22-caliber handgun.
Believing the safety was engaged, Reyes pointed the weapon at his friend and pulled the trigger in an attempt to scare him. The gun, however, discharged, and a single bullet struck Gil-Torres in the chest. A 911 call was made from the scene, and Gil-Torres was rushed to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip by the Copiague Fire Department. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Following the shooting, Nefi Reyes was arrested by Suffolk County police and charged with second-degree manslaughter. Authorities stated that Reyes made an oral admission, explaining that he knew the gun was loaded but thought it was locked when he pulled the trigger. His attorney maintained that the shooting was a terrible accident. Reyes was arraigned at the First District Court in Central Islip and was initially held without bail. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The death of Wilson Gil-Torres deeply affected the Copiague community. Friends and classmates gathered for vigils and memorials to remember him, describing him as a good kid who never failed to make people laugh and who had a bright future ahead of him. Many expressed their shock and sorrow, emphasizing the close friendship between Gil-Torres and Reyes and stating that the incident could not have been intentional. The tragic event also sparked conversations within the community about the dangers of irresponsible gun handling.
