Lawyer: Roosevelt Field Shooting Suspect Was On Drugs
MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The lawyer for a man accused in a robbery and shooting at a Long Island mall filled with Christmas shoppers says his client's actions were fueled by a drug addiction.
Oliver Lee, 21, pleaded not guilty Friday to an indictment charging him with robbery, assault and other offenses for the Dec. 22 incident at the Roosevelt Field Mall on Long Island.
According to prosecutors, Lee asked to see an $18,000 Rolex watch at a Tourneau store before flashing a gun. The gun went off during a struggle with a security guard and a 67-year-old bystander was shot in the shoulder.
Retired NYPD Sgt. Kenneth Krug, a hired private security guard working at the store, wrestled Lee to the ground and the gun went off, striking a mall employee in the shoulder. The 67-year-old man was hospitalized in serious, but stable condition.
Lee's attorney says his client was under the influence of drugs and never intended to shoot anyone.
Lee, who is unemployed and lives with his mother roused neighbors' suspicions, and complained about alleged drug deals.
Police said he had ten oxycodone pills on him when arrested, and prior to the hold up posted a picture of a gun and pills on his Facebook page.
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