SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y. — A Mastic man has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison after being convicted of fatally shooting his longtime friend during a violent confrontation late last year.
James Brown, 45, was found guilty in May of Murder in the Second Degree and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon following a jury trial. Prosecutors said Brown shot and killed 45-year-old Umar Elquhir, also of Mastic, on the evening of November 7, 2023, following a physical altercation between the two men.
The incident occurred on the Poospatuck Reservation, where Suffolk County Police responded to several 911 calls reporting a man lying on the ground with gunshot wounds. When officers arrived, they found Elquhir unresponsive outside a residence connected to Brown. The victim was rushed to Long Island Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Surveillance footage from a nearby smoke shop revealed that Brown and Elquhir had a confrontation earlier that evening. Elquhir later returned and parked outside Brown’s home. According to authorities, Brown exited the residence, approached the vehicle, and fired approximately nine rounds at Elquhir, who was sitting in the driver’s seat. After the shooting, Brown reportedly returned inside his home while the victim exited the vehicle and collapsed nearby.
The jury rejected Brown’s claim of self-defense. Elquhir was unarmed at the time of the shooting.
Brown had a previous conviction for Assault in the First Degree involving a loaded weapon in 2012 and had served five years in prison.
On June 16, 2025, Brown was sentenced by Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins to 25 years to life in prison.
The case was prosecuted by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. Brown was represented at trial by attorney Jason Russo.
