James Brown Gets 25 To Life For Murdering Umar Elquhir

A Long Island man could spend the rest of his life in prison for fatally shooting his longtime friend in a chilling act of violence outside his home.

James Brown.

James Brown, 45, was sentenced to 25 years to life behind bars in Suffolk County Court on Monday, June 16. It followed his May jury conviction for second-degree murder and related charges in the killing of Umar Elquhir.

Brown and Elquhir were seen on surveillance video arguing on the evening of Nov. 7, 2023, on the Poospatuck Reservation, where the two men had lived as friends for years, the Suffolk County DA’s office said.

After a brief physical altercation, Elquhir left the area—only to return about two hours later and park outside Brown’s home.

That’s when Brown came outside, walked up to the vehicle, yelled “You wanna die?” multiple times, and opened fire—firing approximately nine bullets into the car, prosecutors said.

Elquhir, who was sitting in the driver’s seat and unarmed, was struck several times. The 45-year-old managed to exit the vehicle but collapsed on the ground and later died at Long Island Community Hospital.

Suffolk County Police arrested Brown nearly two weeks later, and a jury ultimately rejected his claims of self-defense during a trial in May.

Brown had a prior felony conviction for first-degree assault with a loaded weapon in 2012 and served five years in prison before being released.

“Violent rage has been met with severe consequence,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney. “A life sentence is the only appropriate sentence for a criminal with a prior violent conviction, who has once again used a gun and has now killed. The public must be protected from such danger.”