Nassau County Cop Geoffrey Breitkopf Shot & Killed by MTA Officer During Domestic Disturbance Call in Massapequa, Suspect Anthony DiGeronimo Also Killed

Nassau county, NY, police officer Geoffrey Breitkopf killed by MTA officer in case of mistaken identity during domestic disturbance call, knife-wielding suspect Anthony DiGeronimo also killed.

Nassau county, NY, police officer Geoffrey Breitkopf was accidentally shot and killed after being mistaken for a suspect by a Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) police officer, as they responded to a domestic disturbance call. The suspect, Satanist Anthony DiGeronimo was fatally shot, after he terrorized residents of a Massapequa neighborhood Saturday night.

Officers from the Nassau County Police Department and an officer from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department responded to a call in Massapequa Park of a man running through the neighborhood armed with several knifes. After locating the suspect, they chased him on foot into a house, where the suspect barricaded himself inside a room. The officers removed the other occupants of the house and were inside when the suspect exited and charged at the officers with a knife in his hand. The officers shot and killed the suspect.

Officer Breitkopf, who was in plainclothes, responded to back-up the officers. He arrived at the scene just after the suspect had been shot and killed, but was himself mistaken for a suspect, and shot by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority police officer at the scene.

Officer Breitkopf had served with the Nassau County Police Department for 12 years. He was assigned to the Bureau of Special Operations. Source: Officer Down Memorial Page

Something drastic has to be done to protect police officers in plain clothes from being shot by friendly fire. We have heard of isolated cases where mistaken identity has claimed the lives of police officers. As for Anthony DiGeronimo, one less Satanist and anarchist to worry about. It is a sad commentary that his father didn't get him the help he needed, since it's obvious he had some mental issues. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the fallen officer, who I read is married and a father of two kids.