In the late hours of a Friday night in Hempstead Village, 16-year-old Robert Brown of Westbury was tragically killed. On May 23, 2014, just before midnight, the young man was at a friend's home on Bennett Avenue. He had just stepped outside, reportedly to walk to a nearby convenience store, when he was shot. Friends inside the house heard the gunshot and Brown's cries as he staggered back into the residence, having been shot in the chest.
His friends attempted to comfort him and keep him conscious while they awaited help. Emergency services were called, and upon arrival, police found the wounded teenager. He was quickly transported to a local hospital for medical attention. Despite the efforts of medical professionals, Robert Brown was pronounced dead shortly after 2 a.m. on May 24, 2014.
The Nassau County Police Department launched an investigation into the homicide. Authorities believed the shooting may have been gang-related and that the gunman might have been waiting for Brown to exit the house. The shooting was one of several homicides in Hempstead Village around that time. In the days following the shooting, police released a photograph of Robert Brown and asked for anyone with information to come forward, offering a cash reward for tips leading to an arrest. However, the case proved challenging due to a lack of eyewitnesses and strong leads.
In the years that followed, Robert Brown's murder remained unsolved, with no arrests made in connection with the case. The community held vigils and rallies to honor his memory and to call for an end to gun violence. The family of Robert Brown later filed a civil rights lawsuit against the Incorporated Village of Hempstead and unnamed police officers, alleging that the investigation into his death was not handled properly. The case remains a painful memory for the community, a stark reminder of a young life cut short by violence.
