Jacob McMillan, an 18-year-old from Baldwin, was taken into custody by Nassau County law enforcement on Wednesday. He is a suspect in a fatal shooting that transpired on November 22, which claimed the life of a 19-year-old Monroe University basketball player, Amira McLeod, and injured two 20-year-old males. The incident occurred in the vicinity of Willow and Kennedy avenues, outside a house party.
Investigators have revealed that McMillan allegedly fired his weapon into a crowd after a disagreement at the party, which was attended by college students from across Long Island and the city. McLeod, a sophomore guard known for her defensive prowess, was pronounced dead at the scene. The two injured men, both students at Nassau Community College, were transported to the hospital and are currently recovering.
McMillan is now facing charges of murder, attempted murder, and criminal possession of a weapon. He is being held in custody and is scheduled for a court appearance later this week. Detectives are still probing how the group gained access to the party and whether McLeod was the intended target or an unfortunate victim of indiscriminate gunfire.
The party hosts, also students at Nassau Community College, reportedly had a confrontation with a group that had arrived after seeing an invitation to the party on social media. This confrontation happened shortly before the shooting, which took place around 11 p.m. McMillan had been asked to leave the party due to being armed, according to detectives.
McLeod, originally from Queens, lived in dorms associated with Monroe’s New Rochelle campus while playing for the Bronx-based Express. She had participated in a game against Dutchess Community College just hours before the shooting. The handgun used in the shooting has not been found.
McMillan, who was led away from police headquarters in handcuffs on Wednesday, declined to comment, according to detectives. He is also facing charges in a separate burglary case from September. The identities of the two injured men have not been disclosed, and investigators have yet to announce a suspected motive or whether additional charges could be filed.
The death of McLeod has deeply affected Monroe University and the wider junior-college basketball community. Her coaches remembered her as a dedicated teammate who had aspirations to open a clothing and sneaker store after earning a business degree. A moment of silence was held in her honor at the team’s next home game, and there has been talk about retiring her number.
McMillan pleaded not guilty at his initial court appearance and is due back in court on Friday. Detectives are seeking additional surveillance footage from neighboring homes and businesses and have asked witnesses who left the scene to come forward. The case is expected to be presented to a grand jury in the coming days.