Authorities today said they won’t press any charges in the friendly-fire debacle that killed a cop from an elite unit on Long Island last year.
“Although the results [of the case] were unquestionably tragic, criminal charges under these circumstances would be legally unsustainable,” said Nassau DA Kathleen Rice.
The tragic chain of events began when cops were called to a Massapequa home to confront crazed, knife-wielding Anthony DiGeronimo, 21, on March 12.
The Satan-worshipping suspect was shot dead after coming at cops with a knife, officials said.
During the next 10 minutes, officers continued to arrive at the scene, including Geoffrey Breitkopf, a married dad of two and member of the Bureau of Special Operations.
Breitkopf was in plainclothes with his badge around his neck and an M-4 assault rifle under his arm.
He was mistaken as a perp by a 58-year-old retired New York City Emergency Services cop, John Carafella, who rushed to the scene after listening to his police scanner. Carafella yelled “Gun!’’ as he saw Breitkopf approaching the house.
An MTA officer at the scene, Glen Gentile, fired, killing Breitkopf.
“When Officer Gentile saw Breitkopf’s rifle pointed in the direction of civilians and other officers during this confrontation, Gentile perceived a threat and fired one shot, striking Breitkopf in the torso,” the DA’s report noted.
James Carver, president of the county police union, lamented, “Nothing in that report will ever bring back Geoff to his family.
“I guess we have to accept the findings and move forward.”
With AP