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Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini announced the indictment of Joseph Garcia, 19, of Port Jefferson Station, on Thursday, April 8, for the murder of David Bliss Jr., age 25, of Shirley, on Wednesday, March 24.
Garcia was charged with murder, criminal possession of a weapon, and criminal contempt.
“This is a highly disturbing, tragic case,” Sini said. “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.”
According to the DA's Office, the incident began around 3:35 p.m. on March 24, when Suffolk County Police officers responded to a 911 call reporting a man shot in front of 122 Main St. in Port Jefferson.
Following an investigation, Garcia was identified as the alleged shooter and was arrested on Saturday, March 27.
The investigation included reports from several eyewitnesses as well as surveillance video allegedly showing Garcia shoot and kill Bliss before leaving the scene in a vehicle.
Additional video surveillance allegedly shows Garcia arriving at a residence in Setauket approximately 10 minutes after the murder in possession of a firearm.
Garcia can allegedly be heard on the video surveillance taken from the residence making admissions as to the shooting.
Garcia was remanded to the Suffolk County Jail without bail.
He is being represented by George Duncan and is due back in court on Wednesday, April 21.
If convicted of the top count, Garcia faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
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