The New York Daily News has just reported that both Lillo Brancato Jr. and Steven Armento are being held, without bail, for murder. Lillo is charged with second degree and Armento for first degree murder. As you'll recall, this past weekend, Brancato and Armento were caught breaking into a neighbor's house by off-duty police Officer Daniel Enchautegui. Armento opened fire first, according to a statement made today by Brancato, then Officer Enchautegui returned. Officer Enchautegui was killed and both Brancato and Armento had to be rushed to the hospital. More than 20,000 people showed up for the slain officer's funeral services yesterday. Both Brancato and Armento are due back in court on January 9th for their hearing. Lillo Brancato Jr. charged with 2nd degree murder, no bail - UPDATE
The New York Daily News has just reported that both Lillo Brancato Jr. and Steven Armento are being held, without bail, for murder. Lillo is charged with second degree and Armento for first degree murder. As you'll recall, this past weekend, Brancato and Armento were caught breaking into a neighbor's house by off-duty police Officer Daniel Enchautegui. Armento opened fire first, according to a statement made today by Brancato, then Officer Enchautegui returned. Officer Enchautegui was killed and both Brancato and Armento had to be rushed to the hospital. More than 20,000 people showed up for the slain officer's funeral services yesterday. Both Brancato and Armento are due back in court on January 9th for their hearing. 














Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
12-15-2005 @ 5:23PM
Marc said...
I live in New York State. Some of the taxes I pay go towards the funding of Police officers salaries. Tax money also goes to purchase guns and ammo. I'm pretty sure that all these taxes paid are for use by the police department which makes use of the services provided by ON DUTY police officers. We cannot have OFF DUTY cops running around weilding and firing guns at anyone. RIGHT OR WRONG! I don't care what all you lilly white cops think. Your a cop when ON DUTY! When not on the clock, your simply another civilian. I am positive that if a regular civilian were to shoot burglerers trying to break into his neighbors house that he would most certainly be jailed for it. Most of these cops are on some kind of a power trip. This guy has been on the force for only 3 years and the power went to his head. He should have done what any other citizen would have done. CALL 911 AND LOCK THE DOORS! There was no need for this off duty cop in street attire to go outside and shoot two people. It was wrong of Brancato and the other guy to rob a house and it was also wrong of them to carry a firearm. It was just as wrong for this off duty cop to go outside while armed thinking he was at work. I am so sick of these power hungry cop types thinking they can do whatever they want. Thinking they are on some kind of a crusade for humanity. Did any of these guys think that sometimes it is better to mind your own business. While off duty that is. Obviously this was one of those times. This character paid with his life because he felt the need to flex his cop muscles. Maybe other cops will take this as a lesson learned. If your not wearing blue, then it is wrong to take the law in your own hands. Just like any other citizen. OFF DUTY means just that. OFF DUTY!!!!!
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12-15-2005 @ 7:05PM
SIgirl10101 said...
To Kim & Kelly, who posted under Lillo Brancato's other news story (this story is the update....)....you both are dealing with drug addicts...and have the nerve to tell me that I am the addict and never watched a loved one use drugs.....well, after I stopped, my husband did not. He died in front of me and our son. So please, do not ever tell me "not to post here ever again"....or your statement "I presume that you never experienced a love one who used drugs"....HAH...stop posting TO ME...you do not, and never will, know me....THANK GOD.....And the woman whose son is having problems, I am really sorry, as I do know what it is like.....I and my sons suffered through his abusive, drug induced rages as he demanded more money and tore the house apart for drugs. It was awful. I am SO glad that part of my life is over. Your agony is just starting. Anyway, I am sick of talking about this and am sick of hearing about stupid ass Lillo and the cop who should have just stayed in frigging bed. This is one of those situations where you just wish you could go back in time and do things over. I am SO GLAD it is not me, I already had that day and I never want to have it again.
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12-15-2005 @ 7:31PM
Gigi said...
I TOTALY AGREE WITH MARC. I LIVE IN RHODE ISLAND AND WE HAVE BEEN GOING THRU A SITUATION WITH A "ON DUTY" OFFICER SHOOTING AND KILLING A "OFF DUTY" OFFICER WHO FAILED TO IDENTIFY HIMSELF PROPERLY AND HIS MOTHER HAS BEEN TRYING EVERY THING SHE CAN TO SUE WHOEVER SHE CAN. iF A OFFICER IS OFF DUTY THEY SHOULD NOTIFY THE AUTHORITIES AND ACT AS A WITNESS NOT THE AUTHORITIES THEMSELVES. THEN WHEN SOMTHING HAPPENS PEOPLE CAN'T SAY THAT THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN THER, BECAUSE THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE.
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12-15-2005 @ 7:46PM
MosquitoControl said...
" am positive that if a regular civilian were to shoot burglerers trying to break into his neighbors house that he would most certainly be jailed for it. "
And the law says...
BZZZZT! WRONG!
Hey, in some states you can walk into a felony already in progress with the intent to stop it, kill some innocent people accidentally, and not have criminal charges brought up so long as you weren't wreckless.
Felony murder sticks it on the people that committed the felony. Why? Added incentive not to commit felonies.
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12-15-2005 @ 7:55PM
MosquitoControl said...
It's also worth noting that off duty police officers still have 100% of their power when still within their jurisdiction.
They do not have a responsibility to prevent misdemeanors and minor crimes, only report them. However, if there's an immediate need to prevent a crime such as a felony, off duty cops are usually expected to take action.
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12-15-2005 @ 8:02PM
mattjh said...
I felt sorry for the guy when he sat and peed his pants before Tonny and Pussy shot him, but now he's just a common criminal.
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12-15-2005 @ 8:22PM
Bebop said...
"RIGHT OR WRONG! I don't care what all you lilly white cops think."
Officer Daniel Enchautegui was Puerto Rican.
I am a New York City citizen, born and raised Marc and I have little problem with off duty officers protecting my city.
He identified himself as a cop, then was shot by the criminal, and opened his gun fire in self-defense.
Technically a cop has jurisdiction and is on duty at all times, Officer Enchautegui was just off his shift.
The question isn't why was he shooting while he was on duty, the question is why was he shot when he identified himself as an officer of the law.
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12-15-2005 @ 8:58PM
Kim said...
SI girl,
Sounds good to me. No more posting for you. I am glad that you seem to relish that my agony is just beginning but your wrong there. My agony begun years ago so “HAH”...Whatever the hell that was about. I guess you got one over on me. Please feel free to stop posting to me too. You sound like a very hateful and angry person and I don't have time to deal with you on this. Go back to your kids and take care of them. You keep saying you don't have time for this because you have your kids to raise and then say who gives a shit anyway. Apparently you do because guess what your right there typing away. I have said my peace on this and now I am done....are you??? Ever think about an anger management program???
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12-15-2005 @ 9:46PM
LC said...
Ok Marc and Gigi, you seen to need a little education in law enforcement. As Mosquito stated, a police officer is always on duty and has the power and responsibility to make an arrest if witnessing a crime in progress. Procedure, which Officer Enchautegui followed are to call 911 and identify themselves as an officer first.
Now you, Marc, may think it an off duty cop is supposed to look the other way when witnessing a crime, but the NYPD does not train cowards.
Next time do a little research on what the law says on an off duty officers responsibility is before you put your foot in your mouth again and also table the racist remarks when doing so.
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12-15-2005 @ 9:44PM
Marc said...
To Mosquito, Great. Still have to go through court and prove it. Good luck! Also I don't know about every law in every jusrisdiction. So you may be correct about off duty cops having the right to shoot people when off duty. I'm just saying that if your right then that sucks! Look what happened in this situation. That law really came through for ya didn't it. The guy is DEAD! Thats not a positive outcome. Would things have gone different if it were a cop in uniform? Who knows for sure but I gotta think they probably would not have fired upon the cop. They would have been jailed and all would have been great. You would still have your fun reading the papers about poor "C". Or if nothing happened at all. Yeah, they would have gotten away with breaking and entering a boarded up house. Ehh. Who cares. At least the 3 year newbie 28 year old cop would probably be on patrol in your neighborhood as we write. Working towards retirement and a nice pension. Sounds good to me. At least he's not DEAD!
To Bebop, Yes he identified himself as a cop. Great. Any Joe Schmo can state the words STOP IM A COP. But if he's wearing clothes from the Gap it would be hard to believe him as like I said.... Any jabroni can speak those words whether truly a cop or not.
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12-15-2005 @ 9:55PM
LC said...
You just don't get it do you Marc? You want to play woulda coulda shoulda? Ok so what if the cop didn't attempt to make the arrest, these two scumbags get high and slam their car into a family returning home and kills them all? Bet everyone would have been proud of the cop for looking the other way huh?
There could have been a million things that could have happened, but only one thing DID happen.
Off duty cops have a responsibility to enforce the law on duty or off duty. This is true in EVERY state. He Identified himself as a cop and the guy still shot at him. You say well anyone can say "freeze police", yet what happens when a plain clothes detective makes an arrest? Are you saying now because they are not in uniform then they cannot make arrests either?
Who cares if it is hard to believe them or not. The ones committing the crime are the ones doing wrong. If someone tells them they are the police, then they are supposed to drop their weapon and surrender, if not then they get shot.
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12-15-2005 @ 10:02PM
MosquitoControl said...
Hey Marc, what if they were breaking into his neighbors apartment to rape their daughter.
Bet you wouldn't be saying "shoulda waited" in those circumstances...
or would you?
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12-16-2005 @ 7:48AM
Bebop said...
Marc usually if some one says hey I'm a cop, the next thing a person usually does not do is shoot the guy since there is a 50% chance that they actually are a cop.
Excuse the guy for wanting to protect his neighborhood. I'd be sorry to be a victim near you, because you'd probably walk right by.
Oh and by the way i thought you should know, it's not 1997 anymore so you can stop saying words like "jabroni"
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12-15-2005 @ 10:20PM
Gina said...
Marc First of all, what's with the racist remark?BTW the officer was Puerto-Rican, not white(not that it should matter)Second, of course an off duty police officer has the authority to stop a crime. If an off duty fireman was first on the scene at a fire, shouldn't he do whatever he could, until the fire dept arrived, or a medical doctor who is out socially and sees someone have a medical emergency, help the victim? Some people have jobs that their workday doesn't end when they "punch-out"-and that's lucky for us!!!!!
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12-15-2005 @ 10:21PM
Marc said...
To LC, Undercover cops usually have their badge. This guy was as annonymous as you or I. No uniform, No badge. And now he's dead. You guys don't get it. He's just a kid. 28 years old for Gods sake. HE'S DEAD! Don't you get it? There is no way he made the correct choice for himself or anyone.
To Mosquito, The house they broke into was not inhabited. It was boarded up. No girls to rape. What the hell are you talking about?
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12-15-2005 @ 10:25PM
Marc said...
To Gina, He died. No way you can tell me that he made the correct choice in confronting these druggies alone and off duty. The only correct choice this guy made was not being married with kids. Thank God for that.
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12-15-2005 @ 10:41PM
Marc said...
Whatever people. No matter what I say, its never gonna change your outlook. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I respect that. So keep on believing we need gun toting Off Duty cops shootin and hootin and tootin all over the city. Let me ask you guys this. An off duty cop can go out like any other citizen correct? Maybe stop and the local tavern for a few. I'm sure their are cops who on their own time drink a little or even a lot. Would it be ok for these off duty cops to make a half ass'd attempt of an arrest? Maybe get shot or get someone else shot by a stray bullet from his drunken gun. They say this guy was on his way home from work. How do we know he didn't stop for a few after his shift? Maybe he did, maybe he didn't. What I'm saying is that he had the right to drink because he was off duty. When on Duty I'm pretty sure the department frowns on that sort of thing. On duty = shootin gun ok / Off duty = No way gun ok. Its a stupid tired old law that says we can have off duty cops firing off rounds within the city. It needs to be changed so as to eliminate future deaths like the one that happened here. We don't need off duty cowboys. We need tip-top uniformed officers doing the job their getting paid for. Off duty = no pay = no work. On duty = yes pay = yes work. Very simple and should be legislated.
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12-15-2005 @ 10:41PM
LC said...
"To LC, Undercover cops usually have their badge. This guy was as annonymous as you or I. No uniform, No badge."
Ok now you really have to stop making statements that are either lies or just flat out wrong. Read the facts about the case before making assumptions.
http://www.odmp.org/officer.php?oid=18069
"Detective Enchautegui had just returned home after finishing a late shift when he heard breaking glass in the house next door to his. He called 911 to report a possible burglary in progress. He then grabbed his off-duty 9mm weapon, put his police shield around his neck so he would not be mistaken for a suspect by responding officers and went outside to investigate. As Detective Enchautegui waited for back-up united, the two suspects emerged from the rear of the location. Detective Enchautegui drew his weapon and identified himself as a police officer by yelling "Police, Don't Move" in both English and Spanish."
Read: He had his shield around his neck in plain site. He Identified himself as a cop, not only in English, but in Spanish as well. This guy knew he was shooting a cop when he killed him and would have done so if he were in a uniform and had a squad car out front.
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12-15-2005 @ 10:48PM
Marc said...
I'm sorry but I didn't know that he had his badge. My mistake. But I'm sure the force has never told the Post to print somthing so as to make their guy look good. Naaah......that never happens.
What about my argument that there is a chance this guy might have stopped off for beer on the way home. If he did(and certainly was entitled to as he was off duty) would it be ok for him to draw like Ole John Wayne! oh and lets not forget....this guy is dead! Yeah....he made the right choice....sarcasm.
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12-15-2005 @ 10:52PM
NavyWife said...
Marc, if an off duty cop sees a couple of guys trying to steal a car (let's say it is yours) he is supposed to just call 911 and keep going on his way? I can't imagine anyplace where that would be acceptable.
The men and women that serve in police forces all over the United States understand that they can get hurt or killed at any time, on any call. This officer should have waited for backup - but often that can only be determined after a horrible event like this happens.
What is sad to me is your obvious contempt for the police. They put their lives on the line to enforce the laws that we as a society request and then get spit on by those who don't feel the laws apply to them. Are there bad cops? Of course, just as there are bad doctors, bad atheletes and bad politicians.
My condolences to the officer and his family for this senseless killing. I hope the offenders receive the maximum penalty.
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