Man fatally shot at Hempstead house party

A Hempstead man was killed by gunfire Saturday morning and two others were injured outside a house party in Lakeview, Nassau police said.

Police received reports of an unruly party at the 400 block of Locust Court, Det. Lt. Kevin Smith said at a news briefing. The call came about 1:15 a.m., police said in a release.

As the first unit of officers headed to the scene, they heard gunshots ring out. They arrived to find more than 100 people fleeing in all directions, Smith said.

The victim was taken to Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Centre and pronounced dead at 2:06 a.m., Smith said. He was identified as Bryan Coardes, 25, of Hempstead.

Two men, ages 19 and 27, were wounded in the arm and taken to hospitals. Their injuries were not life-threatening. They were not identified.

Police believe the three may have been leaving the party when they were shot and the gunfire appeared to be random.

"Right now, there's no indication there was an intended target," Smith said. "That could change."

People who had been at the party returned to Locust Court yesterday to pick up their cars and see what happened, but authorities received little information, Smith said.

Neighbors interviewed by Newsday declined to comment or said they did not hear the party or the gunfire.

Detectives ask anyone with information about the shooting to call Crime Stoppers at 800-244-TIPS. Callers will remain anonymous.