Thomas Marrinan, a retired New York transit police officer was shot by a friend, a former corrections officer, when the two attempted to subdue an unruly man during a street fight in Brooklyn, New York.  Robert Velasquez, the former corrections officer, accidentally shot his friend when he pulled his gun to end a scuffle with a third man, Michael Soto.

Marrinan and Velasquez had attempted to come the aid of Velasquez’s father, who was being harassed by Soto.  After a confrontation in the street, Velasquez pulled a gun, apparently to subdue Soto, and fired the shot that killed Marrinan.  Soto has been arrested but not charged.

Police sources said Marrinan retired from the department in 2015 after 23 years on the job. “He is a terrific human being. It’s a real tragedy,” said a friend of Marrinan.   Marrinan’s neighbor called him “the sweetest man I have ever known.”

Witnesses report that Soto was leaving the scene at the time the incident began.  While leaving the scene, he apparently threatened Velasquez’ father.

There is no word about whether Velasquez will be charged for accidentally killing his friend.

Source:

Larry Celona, Joe Marino, Tina Moore and Kenneth Garger, “Retired NYPD Cop Dead After Being Shot by Friend During Scuffle in Brooklyn,” New York Post (June 7, 2021).