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Treyvius Tunstall, age 22, of West Babylon, was charged with multiple crimes in Suffolk County Monday, Aug. 29, stemming from the attack that injured a store manager and two customers.
Prosecutors said Tunstall went to the Dick’s Sporting Goods store located in Westfield Mall in Bay Shore on Friday, Aug. 12, to buy a machete, a hunting knife, and a backpack.
He then tried buying a rifle, but was told by an employee that rifles were not sold at that particular location, prosecutors said.
The employee suggested that Tunstall visit the Dick’s Sporting Goods in Patchogue, where rifles are sold.
After arriving at the Patchogue store, located on Sunrise Highway, Tunstall asked an employee about buying a rifle, but abruptly left the counter and began attacking people at random with the machete, prosecutors allege.
He first attacked a store manager, striking him numerous times in the head, arms, and wrist, prosecutors said. He allegedly kept attacking him even after the manager fell to the floor and tried using a ladder to shield himself.
Investigators said Tunstall proceeded to make his way through the store and found his second victim, a customer.
He allegedly struck the victim on the back of the head, causing a laceration and bruising on their wrist where the victim tried shielding themself.
After moving on from the second victim, prosecutors said Tunstall found his third victim outside in the store’s parking lot.
Without saying a word, he allegedly struck the customer on the shoulder, causing a laceration.
He then chased the victim through the parking lot before the victim was able to escape, prosecutors said.
Suffolk County Police arrested Tunstall a short time later in a wooded area not far from the store. Officers also recovered a machete believed to be the weapon used in the attack.
The store manager suffered serious injuries and was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital, where he underwent surgery, according to police.
He reportedly suffered a skull fracture, a fractured wrist, and severed tendons and nerves in both hands. Prosecutors said he may never regain the use of his fingers.
Both the second and third victims were treated for their injuries by paramedics.
“When the defendant decided to walk into a store armed with a machete, his intentions were clear," Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said. "He chose to cause harm that day.
"Residents and shoppers of Suffolk County should be able to go about their day without feeling like they have to look over their shoulders and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office intends to do everything it can to keep all our residents safe."
In addition to second-degree attempted murder, Tunstall was charged with first-degree assault, two counts of second-degree assault, and criminal possession of a weapon.
A judge ordered him held on $2 million bond and issued orders of protection on behalf of all three victims.
If convicted, Tunstall could face up to 25 years in prison.
He’s due back in court on Monday, Sept. 26.
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