MAN ACCIDENTALLY SHOT DURING DRUG RAID, POLICE SAY

BELLPORT, N.Y. (AP) - A 20-year-old man was accidentally shot to death by a
police officer during a raid at a Long Island house, police said.

Suffolk County Police said the shooting took place late Friday as emergency
services workers executed a search warrant at 862 Doane Ave. in Bellport,
where authorities suspected drug dealing and weapons.

As the officers moved toward the house during the raid, one officer tripped
over a tree root and fell forward into the lead officer, who accidentally
discharged his weapon, according to Philip Robilotto, chief of the Suffolk
County Police Department.

The man, identified as Jose Colon, was standing near the front door of the
house, and was struck in the head, police said.

"I'm here to offer my condolences to the family," Robilotto said during a
press conference Saturday. "It was a tragedy. It was an accident."

Police said officers found about one pound of marijuana and a loaded
semiautomatic rifle in the house.