BAY SHORE, NY – A Middle Island man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after admitting to firing shots at Suffolk County police officers during a multi-town chase that began with a drug investigation in Bohemia.
Brandon Scanlon, 34, was sentenced on October 2, 2025, to 20 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision. He had pleaded guilty in August to charges including Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree.
Drug Task Force Investigation
The case stemmed from a 2023 probe by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s East End Drug Task Force into the distribution of cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine across the county. Investigators determined that Scanlon was using a Bohemia apartment as a stash house for narcotics.
On April 4, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the apartment. Prosecutors said that when approached by officers, Scanlon fled with a black duffle bag, striking an officer twice with his minivan as he escaped. The officer sustained serious injuries and was treated at a hospital.
High-Speed Pursuit and Gunfire
Scanlon led police on a chase through several Suffolk communities, during which he repeatedly fired a .22-caliber semi-automatic pistol at pursuing officers. No one was struck, but officials said the gunfire created extreme risk to law enforcement and the public.
The pursuit ended when Scanlon crashed on the Sunrise Highway service road in Bay Shore. Officers arrested him at the scene and recovered the firearm, along with quantities of cocaine and fentanyl.
Conviction and Sentencing
Scanlon was arraigned on August 14, 2024, and entered a guilty plea on August 19, 2025, before Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro. He was sentenced in Suffolk County Court to 20 years in state prison plus five years of post-release supervision.
Law Enforcement Collaboration
The investigation involved the Suffolk County DA’s East End Drug Task Force – which includes local police departments from East Hampton, Riverhead, Southampton, and Southold, along with New York State Police – as well as detectives from the Suffolk County Police Department’s District Attorney Squad, Narcotics, and TRAS units. Additional support came from the DEA and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Jake Kubetz of the Narcotics Bureau and Alyssa Costantino of the Public Corruption Bureau.
Attempted Murder of Police Officers
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Defendant | Brandon Scanlon, 34, of Middle Island |
| Charges | Attempted Murder in the Second Degree (Class B violent felony); Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class C violent felony); Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (Class B felony) |
| Incident Date | April 4, 2024 |
| Plea Date | August 19, 2025 |
| Sentencing Date | October 2, 2025 |
| Sentence | 20 years in prison + 5 years post-release supervision |
| Incident Summary | Fled drug raid in Bohemia, struck officer with vehicle, led multi-town pursuit, fired gun at police, crashed in Bay Shore |
| Recovered Items | .22-caliber semi-automatic pistol, cocaine, fentanyl |
| Injuries | One officer struck by vehicle and seriously injured (recovered after treatment) |
| Agencies Involved | Suffolk DA’s East End Drug Task Force (EEDTF), Suffolk County Police Department, DEA, DHS, multiple East End police departments |
Q&A
Q: Who is Brandon Scanlon?
He is a 34-year-old Middle Island resident convicted of attempted murder and related charges after firing shots at Suffolk police officers while fleeing a narcotics investigation.
Q: What triggered the case?
Authorities launched a 2023 investigation into drug trafficking. On April 4, 2024, officers executed a search warrant at a Bohemia apartment used by Scanlon to store cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine.
Q: What happened during the arrest attempt?
Scanlon fled with a duffle bag, struck an officer with his minivan, and then led police on a high-speed pursuit across multiple towns. During the chase, he fired multiple rounds at pursuing officers.
Q: Was anyone injured?
Yes. One law enforcement officer was hit by Scanlon’s vehicle and sustained serious injuries. No one was struck by gunfire.
Q: How did the chase end?
Scanlon crashed on the Sunrise Highway service road in Bay Shore, where he was arrested. Police recovered his firearm, cocaine, and fentanyl from the vehicle.
Q: What was the outcome in court?
He pleaded guilty in August 2025 and was sentenced on October 2, 2025, to 20 years in prison plus five years of post-release supervision.
Q: Which agencies worked on the case?
The Suffolk County DA’s East End Drug Task Force – which includes East Hampton, Riverhead, Southampton, Southold police, and New York State Police – along with the Suffolk County Police Department, DEA, and Department of Homeland Security.
