SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY – A Bellport man who fatally shot another man in broad daylight and then fled the state has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison, Suffolk County prosecutors announced Wednesday.
Shati Smith, 31, was convicted last month of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon in connection with the June 2022 killing of 28-year-old Lee Houpe. A Suffolk County jury returned the verdict after hearing details of the violent and calculated shooting, which took place in front of witnesses on a residential street.
According to evidence presented at trial, the shooting occurred around 1:45 p.m. on June 15, 2022, as Houpe stood in a friend’s driveway. Smith approached in a car, exited the vehicle, and opened fire, hitting Houpe three times. After Houpe collapsed, Smith stood over him and fired seven additional shots, striking the victim in the face, chest, and arm, killing him instantly.
Following the attack, Smith fled the scene and crossed state lines. He was later located in Virginia by members of the Suffolk County Police Department, arrested, and extradited back to New York to face charges.
This was a cold and calculated execution,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney. “Smith gunned down an unarmed man in broad daylight and tried to evade justice. Thanks to the swift actions of law enforcement, he was captured, brought back, and held accountable.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Elena Tomaro of the Homicide Bureau and Veronica McMahon of the Major Crime Bureau. Detective Michael Ronca of the Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad led the investigation.
Smith was sentenced by Supreme Court Justice Timothy Mazzei and was represented at trial by attorney Jonathan Manley, Esq.
