Sandy MaloneBrooklyn, NY – A Queens man was fatally shot in Greenpoint on Tuesday morning while he was reserving parking spots for the production of “Law & Order: Organized Crime.”
Police said that 31-year-old Johnny Pizzaro was sitting on North Henry Street at about 5:15 a.m. on July 19 with an orange traffic cone on the roof of his car when a gunman approached his vehicle, WABC reported.
The gunman opened Pizzaro’s car door and opened fire on him, according to officials.
Pizzaro was shot in the face and neck, WABC reported.
Officers found him unresponsive and he was transported to Woodhull Hospital and pronounced dead.
Police said the suspect was a man wearing a black hoodie and black pants who fled the scene after he killed Pizzaro, WABC reported.
Pizarro was a contractor for a company that holds parking spots for movie and television productions, according to police.
Neighbors said that wasn’t uncommon to see in that neighborhood, WABC reported.
“They’re just doing their job, just setting out cones and making sure cars are where they belong,” neighbor Ian Oberholtzer said. “Nothing out of the ordinary, and everyone’s very used to it by now.”
Police confirmed the block where Pizzaro was killed had permits to shoot for “Law & Order: Organized Crime,” WABC reported.
“We were terribly saddened and shocked to hear that one of our crew members was the victim of a crime early this morning and has died as a result,” NBC and Universal Television said in a statement. “We are working with local law enforcement as they continue to investigate. Our hearts go out to his family and friends, and we ask that you respect their privacy during this time.”
Police believe the shooting was targeted but do not think it was connected to the television production, WABC reported.
No arrests have yet been made and officials said the motive for the murder remained unclear.
“Law & Order: Organized Crime” is filming in the city for its third season, WABC reported.
Holly Matkin
