SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY – A Riverhead man has been convicted of murder for fatally shooting a 23-year-old East Patchogue man during a family dispute in 2023. Brent Henry, 61, was found guilty by a Suffolk County jury on October 2, 2025, of Murder in the Second Degree and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree. He now faces a potential sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
Deadly Confrontation
The case centered on the killing of Ines Reyes, 23, who prosecutors said was one month away from becoming a father when he was shot. According to trial evidence, the confrontation began on August 18, 2023, inside a Bellport residence shared by Reyes and his girlfriend, who is Henry’s niece. A verbal argument escalated into a physical fight between Henry and Reyes. Reyes and his girlfriend left the home and went to a residence on Amsterdam Avenue in East Patchogue to be with other relatives.
Shortly after, Henry arrived at the East Patchogue location, where another fight broke out between the two men. Prosecutors said Henry then went to his vehicle, retrieved a .40-caliber semi-automatic handgun, and shot Reyes multiple times in front of his girlfriend and family members.
Aftermath and Arrest
Reyes was taken to Long Island Community Hospital, where he died from his injuries. Henry was arrested the following day, August 19, 2023.
Conviction and Sentencing
Following a jury trial before Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard I. Horowitz, Henry was convicted of:
- Murder in the Second Degree (Class A violent felony)
- Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class C violent felonies)
Henry is scheduled to be sentenced on November 7, 2025, and faces a maximum of 25 years to life in prison.
Fatal East Patchogue Shooting
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Defendant | Brent Henry, 61, of Riverhead |
| Victim | Ines Reyes, 23, of East Patchogue |
| Incident Date | August 18, 2023 |
| Location | Amsterdam Avenue, East Patchogue |
| Charges | Murder in the Second Degree (Class A violent felony); Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class C violent felonies) |
| Conviction Date | October 2, 2025 |
| Sentencing Date | November 7, 2025 |
| Potential Sentence | 25 years to life in prison |
| Weapon Used | .40-caliber semi-automatic handgun |
| Trial Judge | Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard I. Horowitz |
Q&A
Q: Who is Brent Henry?
Henry is a 61-year-old man from Riverhead convicted of murdering his niece’s boyfriend, 23-year-old Ines Reyes, during a family altercation in East Patchogue.
Q: What led to the shooting?
The conflict began with a verbal argument and fistfight inside a Bellport home on August 18, 2023. Reyes and his girlfriend later went to a relative’s house in East Patchogue, where Henry followed. A second fight broke out, after which Henry retrieved a handgun from his vehicle and shot Reyes multiple times.
Q: Who was the victim, Ines Reyes?
Reyes was a 23-year-old East Patchogue man who was expecting his first child. He died at Long Island Community Hospital shortly after the shooting.
Q: What charges was Henry convicted of?
He was found guilty of Murder in the Second Degree and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree.
Q: When will Henry be sentenced?
Sentencing is scheduled for November 7, 2025. He faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
Q: Who presided over the trial?
The trial was heard before Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard I. Horowitz.
