David Laffer, suspect in Long Island pharmacy shooting, pleads not guilty

(CBS/AP) MEDFORD, N.Y. - Former soldier David Laffer pleaded not guilty Thursday to murder in the Long Island pharmacy shooting that left four people dead Sunday.

Pictures: Husband, wife charged in NY pharmacy shooting

Laffer, 33, was arrested Wednesday on charges of murder and resisting arrest for a crime Assistant District Attorney John Collins called "the most cold-blooded robbery-homicide in Suffolk County History."

Collins said investigators found Laffer's fingerprint at the crime scene and recovered the .45-caliber gun, registered to Laffer, believed to have been used in the shootings.

Laffer's wife, Melinda Brady, 29, was also arrested on charges of robbery and obstructing governmental administration.

Brady, who is accused of driving her husband to the drug store before he walked in and started firing, told reporters that "he did all of this" for her.

"He was doing it because he lost his job and I was sick," Brady said as she was led from Suffolk police headquarters in Yaphank early Thursday morning.

Police said the couple was under the influence of narcotics when cops arrested them.

Neighbors said they were shocked when Laffer was arrested for the execution-style murders at the Haven Pharmacy in Medford, 60 miles east of New York City.

"Something must have made him snap, because his personality, I can't picture him robbing a store, much less hurt people," said next-door neighbor Trish Bohlert.

Killed in Sunday's shooting were store clerk Jennifer Mejia, 17, pharmacist Raymond Ferguson, 45, and customers Jamie Taccetta, 33, and Bryon Sheffield, 71.

A judge ordered Laffer held without bail.

Complete coverage of the Long Island pharmacy murders on Crimesider