Mineola, NY — A Baldwin teenager has admitted to murder and weapons charges in the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old college student and basketball player who was struck by a stray bullet during a chaotic confrontation outside a Hempstead house party.
Jacob McMillan, 18, pleaded guilty Thursday, June 4, to murder, attempted murder, and weapons charges in connection with the November 2025 shooting that killed Amira McCleod, a Monroe University student from St. Albans, Queens. Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced the plea Friday.
McMillan is scheduled to return to court on August 11, 2026, for sentencing and is expected to receive 20 years to life in prison.
Promising Student Athlete Killed by Stray Bullet
The case centers on a shooting that unfolded at approximately 10:50 p.m. on November 22, 2025, outside a house party on Willow Avenue in Hempstead.
According to prosecutors, McMillan attempted to enter the party but refused to submit to a pat-down search conducted by an individual monitoring access to the gathering.
Instead of leaving, prosecutors said, McMillan pulled out a handgun and fired two shots at the person attempting to search him.
The victim was struck in the arm while diving behind a vehicle for cover.
As McMillan fled south on Kennedy Avenue, prosecutors said he turned and fired another shot. That bullet traveled through the shoulder of a second victim before striking McCleod in the head.
The 19-year-old died instantly and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigation Tracked Suspect Through Video Evidence
The shooting triggered an extensive investigation by Nassau County law enforcement officials, who pieced together McMillan’s movements using surveillance and doorbell camera footage.
Prosecutors said video showed McMillan earlier that evening leaving a Long Island Rail Road train at the Baldwin station before boarding a Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE) bus.
Investigators tracked him to an area near the Willow Avenue residence shortly before the shooting.
Additional footage captured a man matching McMillan’s clothing description near the party location. Prosecutors said he wore a dark blue and black North Face winter jacket, light-colored jeans, and black sneakers.
After the shooting, McMillan allegedly hid in a backyard about a block from the party before being picked up around 11 p.m. by a ride-share vehicle.
Authorities said the vehicle transported him to a location on Coolidge Avenue in Baldwin, adjacent to his home on Wales Avenue.
Key Points
• Jacob McMillan, 18, pleaded guilty to murder and weapons charges in the death of Amira McCleod.
• Prosecutors said a stray bullet killed the 19-year-old Monroe University student during a Hempstead house party shooting.
• McMillan faces an expected sentence of 20 years to life when he returns to court on August 11.
DA: Plea Delivers Justice for Victim
Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said McMillan had the opportunity to leave when confronted about the security check but instead chose violence.
“Knowing he was armed, Jacob McMillan could have turned and walked away from a pat down to enter the house party that Saturday night. Instead, he pulled his gun and started to fire,” Donnelly said.
The district attorney described McCleod as a talented student athlete whose future was cut short by the gunfire.
“Amira was a gifted basketball player and beginning to find herself in her sophomore year at college when she was gunned down by McMillan’s stray bullet,” Donnelly said. “Amira was innocent; enjoying her friendships and her youth when her life was shockingly and tragically cut short by this defendant’s violent outburst.”
The two surviving shooting victims were transported to local hospitals and treated for their injuries.
Sentencing Scheduled for August
McMillan pleaded guilty before Judge Helene Gugerty to Murder in the Second Degree, Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree.
The plea agreement is expected to result in a sentence of 20 years to life in state prison.
The case is now awaiting sentencing, with McMillan scheduled to appear in Nassau County court on August 11. The guilty plea brings the criminal proceedings closer to conclusion while providing accountability in the killing of McCleod, whose death deeply affected her family, friends, teammates, and the broader community.
Nassau County Crime, New York Shooting, College Student Death
