Father Of Man Shot By NYPD: Cop "Did What He Had To Do"

Investigators are trying to figure out why a 22-year-old pointed an imitation gun at a Brooklyn cop outside a Gerritsen Beach school—triggering an incident that lead to a fatal police shooting. Law enforcement officials haven't yet determined why George D'Amato Jr. aimed a fake firearm at a uniformed officer outside of P.S. 194 or why he refused to drop the toy weapon, though D'Amato's father says the cop who fired the three shots that took his son's life "did what he had to do."

Police received a 911 call yesterday afternoon warning them that an armed man was menacing passersby outside P.S. 194. When a single officer arrived at the corner Avenue W and Knapp Streetaround at around 3:10 p.m., D'Amato reportedly pointed the fake gun at the cop. "Drop it! Drop it!" the officer yelled, according to law enforcement sources. The officer then fired three times, striking D'Amato in the neck, torso and arm, according to the Times. D'Amato was taken to Coney Island Hospital and pronounced dead at 4:11 p.m. A witness described the scene to NY1: "I saw a body in the middle of the street and a police officer saying, 'he pulled a gun on me.'"

The officer who shot D'Amato has not been identified, but he reportedly remains on duty. A relative of D'Amato's said the 22-year-old had taken the day off from work at Duane Reade so he could enjoy the nice weather. "He was a good kid," she said. "His life was cut too short." According to the Daily News, police received reports earlier in the day that D'Amato—who has a previous arrest for criminal mischief and possession of burglar's tools—was threatening kids outside a housing complex and on a Little League field. D'Amato's father, George D'Amato Sr., told the Post his son "had minor scrapes with the law, nothing serious." He added: "I am retired law-enforcement myself. I know what it's like. I can't blame the officer. He did what he had to do."

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By Ben Muessig in News on March 9, 2010 10:45 AM

Comments [rss]

Kat Dollface

I agree with Jalchi. George was a sweet,down to earth, caring individual & he could make you laugh no matter what. I get so mad hearing the fucking media make him look like a monster. Because they are the real monsters. They twist and turn everything. I've heard at least 5 different stories. I also find it kind of fishy that the ROOKIE COP FLED THE SCENE..why you may ask? SO HE COULD GET HIS STORY STRAIGHT. Kinda reminds me a bit of Training Day. He was pretty trigger happy too. All of these people are siding with the police officer. However I bet if it were a friend, brother, parent, relative of yours, you wouldn't be bad mouthing them..you'd be pretty fucking pissed at the cop ..am I right? And don't even act like you wouldn't be. Imagine it was your own son. Having to bury him at the tender age of 22. I'm so sick of how cops get away with everything. No one sees how corrupt they can be. Serve and protect my ass. We may never know the truth to what happened that day. I will not allow anyone to badmouth someone who doesn't deserve it. There are rapists and pedophiles on these streets and they are allowed to live.

That cop took away a good person and I hope he sees George's face when he wakes up and goes to sleep. I hope he can't sleep at night. Tosses and turns. You cannot justify this to me in any which way. Look at Sean Bell..50 shots..50 SHOTS! Are you gonna tell me that was right either? But the cops walk away ..no problem. That is unjust. Shows you what kind of society we live in. So before all these people go around badmouthing George, imagine it were your own kid, your friend, your brother and SHUT THE FUCK UP. Because it doesn't mean anything to you unless it hits home. I will always remember George and the memories I've shared with him. HE WAS A GOOD PERSON. I WILL REMEMBER HIM BY THAT. NOTHING MORE. YOU ALL ARE QUICK TO POINT YOUR FINGERS..BUT MAKE SURE YOUR HANDS ARE CLEAN TOO. R.I.P. GEORGE. YOU WERE ANYTHING BUT A MONSTER.

JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED ONE DAY...I PRAY.

jalchi

As a family friend & someone who grew up with George, I can attest to the fact that he was a good boy. He was a sweet & loving person who cared deeply for those around him. Sometimes even the best people have demons. His parents are loving, wonderful & sensible people--my heart goes out to them. This is truly a heartbreaking loss for those of us who knew George.

Papercutninja

...who has a previous arrest for criminal mischief and possession of burglar's tools—was threatening kids outside a housing complex and on a Little League field

What a dickhead. His relative who called him a "good boy" is seriously deluded.

kswissreject

That is a really interesting comment by the dad. Kinda sucks for him, but instead of the usual "he was such a good boy," he seems realistic. I mean, it has to be due to his ex-law enforcement background, but still. It's so rare.

MEDICNYC

Why does it have to be due to his ex-LEO background? Maybe he's just a sensible, logical person...

Stevennnn

Agreed. Finally someone is actually realizing what is going on and not blaming the police for doing their job.

schadenfreudian mensch

Suicide by Cop

Rocknrope

I had one of those guns when I was growing up. They shoot either discs or yellow pellets. They were very cool. If that's the gun pictured, it was definitely doctored to look realistic, as those guns were originally blue.

jibbly

I had a bright orange one in the 80s that shot little discs.

And yes, this was suicide by cop.

http://www.rotten.com/library/death/suicide/suicide-by-cop/