Posted on 12/10/2005 11:40:46 AM PST by KeyLargo
NYC police officer killed; 'Sopranos' actor ID'd as a suspect AP
December 10, 2005 New York - An off-duty police officer was killed Saturday in a gunfight with two burglars outside his home, and authorities said an actor from "The Sopranos" was a suspect. Daniel Enchautegui, 28, a three-year veteran, was pronounced dead at a hospital following the 5:15 a.m. shooting, said Police Commissioner Ray Kelly.
He was the second officer to die in the line of duty in two weeks.
"This is a loss to the department and the city," said Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who joined Kelly at the hospital. "We now have another life to mourn, taken from us for no sensible reason."
The officer had returned to his Bronx home after finishing a late shift when he heard breaking glass in an unoccupied house next door, Kelly said. The officer first called his landlord, then called 911 to report a possible burglary.
The officer grabbed his off-duty weapon and went outside to investigate. His landlord heard Enchautegui shout, "Police! Don't move!", followed by the sound of gunfire, Kelly said.
The officer was struck once in the chest with a bullet from a .357-caliber revolver. Before collapsing in the driveway of the home, he returned fire and struck both of the suspects -- one was hit twice, the other four times.
One of the suspects was identified by police as Lillo Brancato Jr., an actor who also appeared in several episodes of "The Sopranos" as Matt Bevilacqua, a mob wannabe who eventually was murdered. He made his debut in the Robert De Niro-directed film "A Bronx Tale" back in 1993.
Brancato was arrested in June for criminal possession of a controlled substance.
A police car on routine patrol arrested Brancato as he was getting into a car, police said. The second suspect, Steven Armento, was arrested as he ran from the scene. Police identified Armento as the gunman.
Both men were taken into custody without incident and were in serious condition, Kelly said.
Although police were initially using dogs and a helicopter to search for other suspects, Kelly said it appeared only the two wounded men were involved. Subway trains were stopped for several hours as the search continued.
Another officer was shot on Nov. 28 during a car chase in Brooklyn and killed by a bullet that missed his protective vest.
A suspect in that shooting was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder in a separate shooting that wounded another officer earlier in November.
On Tuesday, two state troopers were wounded and a drug suspect was killed when shots were fired during a raid in the Bronx.
I hope some of the corrections officers bargain privileges for this kids head.
He got beat down many times in our hood. No one liked him but the drug dealers he fed. He was also a rat.
This kid will hopefully be sent up to Attica and get cornered by a bunch of 5 percenters who will turn his a-s into an acorn.
In what sense? It seemed to have held up better than Van Nest or Fordham when I visited last year.
I used to date a girl there years and years ago. It was all Italian, but not as nice as where I am originally from, Morris Park. I recently started a juijitsu class on Buhr Ave. and it is definately not as nice as I remember it. Plus, I have a few deadbeats I visit down there who owe a client some money. They read me the sob story too about the neihborhood.
I got a tab at a good restuarant down there as a result!
"Italian neighborhoods" are a thing of the past. The future in NYC belongs to the Yuppies, Latinos, and Asians whether we like it or not. ;-)
True!
I hate Yuppies more than any group in existence. My gf gets living hell out of me when she wants me to go the westchester mall with her. I prefer the Palisades. Wastechester yuppie scum drive me nuts!
Well, you can always get revenge on her by taking her to Cross Country. Even better, she can shop for baby close and du-rags with you at that shopping center in Baychester.
I don't mind Cross County nearly as much as I do the Wastechester. I feel I just don't fit in or belong there. Too many white-bread, stuck up, yuppie, Jappy, Scarsdale/Chappaqua/Armonk/Larchmont A$%^&* for me to deal with.
I just want to hit someone when I go in there.
I guess Sonny didn't teach him anything.
Cop killers deserve painful deaths.
Who looks down on Yonkers? .......................:)
I wonder if he went to Gorton High School? I read he was adopted. Anyway all I can think of is that cute little boy on a Bronx Tale.
Merry Christmas Clemenza.
I just got a call from a friend of mine, can't say who, that this kid is already dead. I knew about case before almost everyone else and this appears to be true and will come out later.
I think he went to Saunders. Anyway, I think he has already died.
I think Lillo died today in the hospital. I think it will be coming out a little later.
Oh your kidding he went to Saunders? He's dead? Are you in Yonkers?
Did you see this? :o
Are we discussing who is paying for the killers new Lawyer?
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