Story by Ethan
On January 30th, 2026, the arrest of Stephen Primm, age 34, was announced by Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly. Stephen Primm was charged with second-degree Murder as an A-I felony, and two counts of second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon as a C violent felony. The arrest and charges against Stephen Primm were a result of an investigation handled by detectives from the Nassau County Police Department Homicide Squad.
According to the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, in the early morning of January 1st, 2026, the victim, 51-year-old Joseph Fountain, was accompanied by family members at a New Year’s celebration at a house on Railroad Avenue in New Cassel, New York. At the same time Stephen Primm was staying as a guest at a neighbor’s house next to the other property. While Joseph Fountain was outside the house, a fight broke out between the victim and several family members. As the fighting continued someone from a neighboring house attempted to intervene in the dispute, however they instead were punched by Joseph Fountain. At approximately 2:03 a.m. after the fight ended and the victim with his family re-entered the Railroad Avenue house, Stephen Primm entered the property. Allegedly once inside the defendant fired four shots up the staircase that struck Joshua Fountain in his back, torso, and hand. After the shots were fired Stephen Primm allegedly immediately fled from the scene. Joshua Fountain was transported to NYU Langone Hospital – Long Island where he was pronounced as dead. Stephen Primm was located and arrested at a home in Bayshore, New York, on January 3rd, 2026.
The Nassau County District Attorney’s Office stated that the charges against Stephen Primm are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
