Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

LI Pharmacy Massacre Suspect Expected To Plead Guilty


By

Jen Chung

Published Sep 7, 2011

Modified Sep 7, 2011


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

David Laffer being escorted by police in June

 

AP


By

Jen Chung

Published Sep 7, 2011

Modified Sep 7, 2011


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

David Laffer, the 33-year-old man accused of killing four people at a Medford, Long Island pharmacy before robbing the store of over 10,000 hydrocodone pills and other prescription drugs, will plead guilty, according to Newsday's sources. Laffer has a court date tomorrow, and Newsday reports, "Laffer is expected to plead guilty as charged before Suffolk County Court Judge James Hudson. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole."

Laffer was charged with four counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of Haven Drugs worker Jennifer Mejia, 17; pharmacist Raymond Ferguson, 45; and customers Bryon Sheffield, 71, and Jamie Taccetta, 33. Suffolk County prosecutors painted a horrifying timeline: Laffer allegedly "simply shot [Ferguson] after engaging the pharmacist in conversation" and then went to steal the hydrocodone. Then, after spotting Mejia, ADA John Collins says Laffer shot her twice. Taccetta's fiance, who had been waiting outside in a car, was the one who discovered the carnage.

Authorities say that Laffer carried out the masacre while his wife Melinda Brady waited in a car. Brady, who pleaded not guilty, has claimed they only planned a robbery.

Tagged

david laffer

haven drugs

hydrocodone

li

long island

long island pharmacy massacre

massacre

medford

melinda brady

pharmacy killing

pills


Jen Chung

Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

NJ Transit riders face 5 weeks of schedule disruptions starting Sunday

NJ Transit and Amtrak riders should prepare for cancellations, schedule changes and longer commutes as work continues on the new Portal North Bridge.

By

Giulia Heyward

Published Oct 11, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. ET


For a Democrat in a traditionally red NJ district, how to woo Republican voters

The first-time Democrat says it’s still “a toss-up race” between her and incumbent GOP Rep. Tom Kean.

By

Mike Hayes

News

For a Democrat in a traditionally red NJ district, how to woo Republican voters

The first-time Democrat says it’s still “a toss-up race” between her and incumbent GOP Rep. Tom Kean.

By

Mike Hayes


2 pedestrians killed in Bronx crash after driver ran red light, police say

By

Brittany Kriegstein

and

Ann Givens

Rain could put a damper on NYC’s long weekend. Here’s when it will clear.

By

Brittany Kriegstein

Holy civics! NYC schools' own comic books in the spotlight at Comic Con

By

Jessica Gould


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .