Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
Brookville police are actively searching for a 44-year-old man accused of stabbing his roommate late Friday night at the North Shore Equestrian Center on the LIU Post campus, according to News 12 Long Island. The incident was reported around 10 p.m. on Friday, June 20, 2026, and authorities have identified the suspect as Eddy Javier Villalobos Novoa.
According to News 12 Long Island, Brookville police were notified of the assault at approximately 10 p.m. Both the victim and the suspect worked at the North Shore Equestrian Center, a space on the LIU Post campus that is leased by Long Island University. The two men, who were also roommates, had gotten into an argument while both were intoxicated. The altercation escalated, and Novoa allegedly stabbed the victim during the confrontation. Investigators have noted that police are not yet sure what specific grievance or chain of events led up to the argument.
Novoa fled the scene following the stabbing and has not yet been located by authorities. He was last seen wearing a white or grey jacket and a navy blue or black baseball cap, per News 12 Long Island. Brookville Police Chief Kenneth Lack issued a direct appeal to the community: “The public should call us if they see him.” Authorities stress that while the suspect remains at large, there is currently no danger posed to the general public.
The victim was transported to the hospital following the stabbing and has since been released, according to Brookville police. No additional injuries were reported in connection with the incident.
LIU Post moved quickly to distance the university community from the incident. In a formal statement, the university said: “The incident reported at North Shore Equestrian Center involved individuals who are not affiliated with Long Island University and occurred on property operated and managed by the North Shore Equestrian Center. No members of the LIU community were involved and at no point was there any threat to the University, its students, faculty, staff or campus operations.” The statement underscores the legal and operational separation between the university itself and the independently managed equestrian center, which occupies space on the campus grounds under a lease agreement.
The news was first reported on the afternoon of June 22, 2026, by News 12 Long Island reporter Julia Rosier. As of publication, Novoa had not been taken into custody, and the investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone who spots Novoa is urged not to approach him and to contact Brookville police immediately.
Location & Road Context
The North Shore Equestrian Center sits on the grounds of the LIU Post campus in Brookville, a small incorporated village in Nassau County on Long Island’s North Shore. The LIU Post campus — formally the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University — spans a sprawling estate in the Town of Oyster Bay and serves as a hub for academic, athletic, and auxiliary activities. The equestrian center itself is a leased facility operating independently from the university’s core campus infrastructure. Brookville is a residential community with limited commercial activity, making incidents on campus grounds particularly notable for local residents. For a look at broader traffic and road conditions in and around the area, visit our Long Island roads overview.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
Novoa is currently wanted by Brookville police on charges of assault and possession of a weapon in connection with the Friday night stabbing, according to News 12 Long Island. As of the time of reporting on June 22, 2026, no arrest had been made, and police had not yet determined the precise motive or root cause of the argument between the two men. Investigators have not publicly disclosed whether any surveillance footage from the equestrian center grounds is being reviewed, nor have they indicated whether additional witnesses have been identified. Brookville Police Chief Kenneth Lack confirmed that the department is actively seeking the public’s help in locating Novoa and encouraged anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact authorities immediately.
Given that both the suspect and victim resided together and worked at the same facility, investigators may pursue charges related to the domestic or co-habitant nature of the relationship in addition to the assault and weapons counts already indicated. No arraignment date has been set, as Novoa remains a fugitive at this time. Anyone with information is asked to reach out to the Brookville Police Department directly.
Broader Impact
Incidents involving individuals who live and work together in on-campus or campus-adjacent housing highlight particular challenges for university communities in managing safety on leased or third-party operated properties. Under New York Penal Law, assault in the first degree — particularly where a weapon is used — carries serious felony-level consequences, including potential state prison sentences. LIU’s swift statement clarifying the operational independence of the North Shore Equestrian Center reflects growing awareness among universities of the need to clearly delineate institutional responsibility when incidents occur on leased campus properties. Students, faculty, and staff in Nassau County are reminded to report any sighting of Novoa to Brookville police rather than attempting to approach or detain him.