Suffolk police investigating shooting death in Patchogue

Fifth Precinct officers responding to an early morning 911 call found a man dead in the courtyard of a Patchogue apartment complex Thursday — the victim of “an apparent gunshot wound,” police said.

Suffolk County police identified the victim as Earle Foster, 52, of Hempstead.

Police said Foster was discovered by the officers in the courtyard of the Maple Tree apartments at 3:05 a.m., but did not release additional details.

Detectives are asking anyone with information to all them at 631-852-6392 or Crime Stoppers at 800-220-TIPS. All calls will remain confidential.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”