On the evening of March 22, 2024, an outdoor party on Ackerson Boulevard in Bay Shore drew about 50 young people and ended in gunfire. Nineteen-year-old Sean Mills, a Black male and recent Brentwood High School graduate who enjoyed boxing, was shot around 9 p.m. and later pronounced dead at a local hospital. A 17-year-old girl was also wounded and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Family members said Mills had been receiving threats on Instagram from former classmates before the gathering, and a pre-party post reportedly said he would be smoked. A party flyer had advertised security and a ban on weapons. After the shooting, a video showing Mills bleeding as medics worked was posted on Instagram, which deeply upset his family.

The Suffolk County Police Department opened a homicide investigation and by late March 2024 had not announced any arrests or identified suspects. Anyone who was at the party or has information is asked to contact the Suffolk County Homicide Squad or Crime Stoppers.