Justin Rojas Arrested for Murder of Justin Liggon

Justin Rojas, 22, has been charged with second-degree murder for the shooting death of Justin Liggon back in September of '09.

Det. Sgt. Thomas Groneman of the Homicide Squad said information provided by the community as well as at least one eyewitness led to Rojas' arrest.

According to Newsday:

One of Liggon's four siblings, Brian Liggon, 30, of Mastic Beach, said his brother and Rojas had known each other since elementary school and attended William Floyd High School together. When he was having trouble at home as a teenager, he even lived for a time in Rojas' family's home.

"They were actually good friends," Brian Liggon said. "My whole family is taking it really hard. Nothing that happens now can bring him back."

Rojas pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Thursday in First District Court in Central Islip and was held without bail. His attorney, Jason Bassett of Central Islip, said Rojas - who prosecutors said signed a confession - denied doing the shooting or voluntarily making any admission to police.

The Liggon family said they did not know what led to the shooting. Groneman said the pair had a series of escalating, though not physical, interactions over the previous week but the nature of the dispute was still unclear.

Rojas is due back in court Tuesday.