Man Who Shot Suffolk Officer Pleads Guilty To Attempted Murder: DA

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — A Coram man pleaded guilty to attempted aggravated murder and first-degree robbery, stemming from two separate incidents that included shooting a Suffolk County police officer in May 2023, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney announced Monday.

On May 8, 2023, Janell Funderburke, 20, arranged to meet two women near his home on Homestead Drive in Coram, officials said. An argument escalated to Funderburke pointing a black firearm at them, investigators said. He then threatened to shoot one of the women and stole her money, authorities said.

The women reported the incident to police, and Funderburke was wanted in connection with the gunpoint robbery, prosecutors said.

At 12:45 p.m. May 11, 2023, Suffolk County police officer Michael Lafauci was conducting surveillance in Coram in relation to the armed robbery investigation from a few days earlier when Funderburke was seen walking southbound on Homestead Drive, officials said.

Lafauci pulled behind Funderburke, exited his unmarked police vehicle and identified himself as a police officer, investigators said. Funderburke began to run away, the DA said. Lafauci ran after Funderburke on foot and ordered him to show his hands, authorities said. Funderburke refused to comply with the orders. As he continued to run, Funderburke turned back towards Lafauci, extended a black firearm with his right hand, and fired twice, prosecutors said.

Officer Lafauci was struck in his upper right thigh by one of the bullets and fell to the ground as
Funderburke continued to run off towards his home, the DA said.

Nearby members of the Suffolk County Police Department immediately administered emergency aid to Lafauci. He was rushed to Stony Brook University Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.

Funderburke was arrested, and a search warrant was executed against Funderburke’s home, where a loaded 9 mm semiautomatic pistol with an extended magazine, fentanyl, and the controlled substance carisoprodol were recovered, the DA said.

An examination found the pistol found at Funderburke's home was the same gun used to shoot Lafauci, investigators said.

"Today's guilty plea is a stark reminder of the critical role that law enforcement plays in upholding justice and maintaining the rule of law," Tierney said in a news release. "This defendant's heinous actions in shooting an officer, who had clearly identified himself, and then fleeing demonstrate a blatant and egregious disregard for the very fabric of our legal system. Such acts of violence against those who protect our communities cannot be tolerated and will be met with the full force of justice. I want to thank the Suffolk County Police Department and especially Officer Lafaucifor their exemplary work on this case."

Funderburke is expected to be sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.He is due back in court on July 11, 2024, and is being represented by Christopher Cassar.