Thomas Massenburg allegedly shot and killed Rashawn Cummings after fight at Massapequa home; Co-defendant Learyk Jarvis allegedly shot Massenburg in groin
MINEOLA, N.Y. – Acting Nassau County District Attorney Joyce A. Smith announced that two men have been indicted for their roles in a gunfight inside a Massapequa home that left one man dead and two injured during a party on July 4, 2020.
Thomas Massenburg, 20, from Brooklyn, was arraigned on Friday before Judge Fran Ricigliano on charges of murder in the second degree (an A-I felony), attempted murder in the second degree (a B violent felony), assault in the first degree (a B violent felony) and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree (a C violent felony). The defendant was remanded and is due back in court on August 9. If convicted of the top charge, Massenburg faces a potential maximum sentence of 65 years to life in prison.
Learyk Jarvis, 20, also known as Coop, from Hempstead, was arraigned today before Judge Ricigliano on two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree (a C violent felony). Bail was continued at $70,000 bond or $35,000 cash and he is due back in court on September 1. If convicted of the top charges, Jarvis faces a potential maximum of 15 years in prison.
“A Fourth of July party on a quiet street turned violent and deadly when Thomas Massenburg senselessly shot Rashawn Cummings after a physical altercation,” Acting DA Smith said. “It’s remarkable that more lives were not lost that evening and we will aggressively prosecute this case.”
Acting DA Smith said that, according to the investigation, Massenburg and other alleged members of the Mac Baller Bloods from Brooklyn attended a Fourth of July 2020 party on West Drive in Massapequa. Jarvis and another group of friends – also allegedly members of the Bloods gang – from the Hempstead area also went to the party. Rashawn Cummings, a friend of Jarvis, came to the party later and a physical altercation ensued between the Hempstead friends and the Brooklyn group. Jarvis allegedly waved a gun in the air and told everyone to leave the house.
During the physical altercation in the home’s basement, Massenburg allegedly obtained a loaded gun and allegedly shot Cummings twice – once in the leg and once in the chest. Massenburg allegedly shot another man, who survived, three times – in the arm, legs and buttocks. Jarvis then allegedly shot Massenburg in the groin. Cummings was pronounced deceased at the scene. The shootings occurred at approximately 11:15 p.m. that evening.
Massenburg was arrested on June 3, 2021, by members of the Nassau County Police Department. Jarvis was arrested by members of the NCPD on June 17, 2021.
Senior Litigation Counsel Stefanie Palma of the Homicide Bureau is prosecuting the case. Massenburg is represented by Mitchell Ellman, Esq. Jarvis is represented by Steven Gaitman, Esq.
The charges against the defendants are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.
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