Rockland County - Ramapo Police: Person Of Interest Sought After Fatal Shooting

RAMAPO, N.Y.  – Police in Rockland County are looking for a person of interest after a fatal shooting at a children’s birthday party.

Around 8:30 p.m. Sunday, police said a few of men got into an argument in the driveway of the home on East Hickory Street in Hillcrest.

“One of the gentleman pulled out a handgun, threatened a number of people with it and then fired a round at a gentleman who was standing nearby,” said Lt. Mark Emma with the Ramapo Police Department.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found Riccardo Barrett, 22, with a gunshot wound to the chest, police said.

“The boys stood right there and just pulled his glock out and just shot him,” Barrett’s girlfriend, who did not give her name, told CBS 2′s Jannelle Burrell. “He was just laying on the floor, laying on the floor, calling my name saying, ‘Terese, I’m okay, I’m okay.’”

Barrett was taken to the hospital where he later died from his injuries, police said.

Police said the suspected shooter fled on foot.

The victim’s girlfriend said Barrett did not know the shooter.

Police said the suspected shooter was with a second man who is described as a black male, about 5-feet-9-inches tall with a medium completion and braided hair, police said. He was last seen wearing a black hat, black hooded sweatshirt and dark-colored pants.

Police are now trying to find Otha Williams, 20, of the Bronx as a person of interest in connection with the case. Police believe he may still be in Spring Valley/Hillcrest area.

 “No one is gonna take that loss easy. It’s gonna be hard for everybody in this community. He was a simple little kid. He was like 22 and wanted to get tattoos. You know, simple,” Fadra Norfleet, an acquaintance of the victim, told WCBS 880′s Sean Adams Monday.

Anyone with information should the Ramapo Police Department at (845) 357-2400 or their Crime Tips Line at 1-888-998-TIPS.