Josef McLorrain, a 22-year-old Brooklyn resident, has been indicted on multiple charges, including attempted murder, following an incident at the Eastern Suffolk BOCES parking lot in North Bellport, New York. Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney announced the indictment on August 7, 2024.
According to the investigation, on the morning of June 24, 2024, McLorrain was driving a black Mazda Tribute in the parking lot of Eastern Suffolk BOCES’ Bellport Academic Center. The District Attorney’s office alleges that McLorrain accelerated his vehicle towards a group of five employees walking in the parking lot, striking two of them.
District Attorney Tierney stated, “The indictment alleges that the defendant drove toward a group of BOCES employees in a parking lot and struck two individuals with his vehicle.” He added, “The large size, speed, and mass of vehicles make them capable of causing significant injury or death to pedestrians, even with minimal contact. Vehicular violence will not be tolerated in Suffolk County.”
The two victims were reportedly propelled onto the vehicle and then thrown to the ground before McLorrain fled the scene. Both injured employees were transported to Long Island Community Hospital in Patchogue for treatment. The extent of their injuries has not been disclosed.
McLorrain was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro. The charges include:
- Two counts of second-degree attempted murder (Class B felonies)
- Two counts of first-degree attempted assault (Class C felonies)
- Two counts of second-degree assault (Class D felonies)
Justice Ambro ordered McLorrain held on $100,000 cash, $250,000 bond, or $500,000 partially secured bond for the duration of the case. The defendant is scheduled to appear in court again on September 11, 2024.
Christopher J. Cassar, McLorrain’s legal representative, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the case.
This incident has raised concerns about workplace safety and the potential for vehicular violence in public spaces. Eastern Suffolk BOCES, which provides educational services to school districts across Suffolk County, has not yet released a statement regarding the incident or any potential security measures being implemented in response.
As the legal proceedings continue, the case serves as a reminder of the importance of parking lot safety and the potential consequences of vehicular aggression.
Citations:
[1] https://patch.com/new-york/patchogue/man-indicted-after-striking-2-workers-suffolk-boces-parking-lot-da
Last modified: June 20, 2025
