Retired NYPD Officer Killed With Other Officer’s Gun

BROOKLYN, NY — A former NYC corrections officer shot and killed a former NYPD transit officer Monday when the two came to the aid of an elderly man being confronted by a 33-year-old man in a Brooklyn pizzeria, according to police.

Police arrested Michael Soto, 33, of Brooklyn. According to court documents, Soto is being charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and attempted assault.

The corrections officer who fired his weapon had not been publicly identified or charged with a crime as of Wednesday.

Former NYPD transit officer Thomas Marrinan was shot in the chest around 7:18 p.m. after he and the retired corrections officer confronted Soto, who was arguing with Luis Velasquez, 86, inside Korner Pizza on Church Avenue near East Third Street, Deputy Chief Joseph Gulotta said at a press conference Monday evening.

"The two males in their 50s confronted the 33-year-old and a physical fight ensued," Gulotta told reporters. "During the course of the struggle, which moved down the block, the 53-year-old male pulled out his firearm and one round was discharged, striking both victims."
Soto was shot, in the arm, Gulotta said.

Gulotta also stated that the former NYPD officer had pulled out his weapon, leading to the shooting of both Soto and Marrinan.

According to court records, Soto had punched Velasquez in the face “causing swelling and redness” and stated, “I’m gonna kill you and shoot you,” and “I don’t care if I die.”

Court records reiterate that the unnamed retired NYPD corrections officer “drew his firearm” and Soto struggled with him and “tried to grab the firearm and the firearm discharged a single time, injuring” Soto and Marrinan.

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Both Soto and Marrinan were taken to Maimonides Medical Center, where Marrinan was pronounced dead. Soto is in stable condition, police said.

Soto was indicted on Monday, June 14. His bail is set at $50,000. Soto will stand trial at Kings County Supreme Court. The date has not been set, according to the Kings County Criminal Court Clerk's Office.

The deceased officer, Marrinan, leaves behind a wife and son, who graduated high school just a week ago. Marrinan served more than 20 years as an NYPD transit officer and a Police Benevolent Association delegate, according to a GoFundMe created in his name.

Police said they did not know the cause of the argument. The investigation is active and ongoing.

Editor’s note: This story was most recently updated at 10:19 a.m. Tuesday, June 15 to add clarifying details.