Basheer Vinson Sentenced 40 Years to Life for Murder in Wyandanch

Basheer Vinson, 30, was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison for the fatal shooting of Mark Birthwright, 26, during an attempted robbery at a house party in Wyandanch on August 2, 2020. Birthwright had dropped a large roll of cash as he was leaving the party, which prompted Vinson and an accomplice to confront him with guns drawn. A struggle ensued, during which Vinson shot Birthwright in the chest, killing him, and also shot a friend who attempted to intervene. Evidence, including DNA from Vinson's hat found at the scene and spent shell casings, linked him to the crime, leading to his arrest in October 2022. A jury convicted him of second-degree murder, attempted assault, and robbery in September 2024. Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney described the incident as a 'violent and premeditated murder,' expressing hope that the maximum sentence would bring some solace to the victim's family.