25-year-old man accused in fatal Brooklyn subway beating arraigned, held without bail
DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN (WABC) -- The man accused in a deadly beating in the subway after police say he stomped a commuter in the head multiple times was arraigned Thursday on murder charges.
David Mazariegos, 25, was held without bail.
Police say Mazariegos admitted to investigators that he beat 64-year-old Nicola Tanzi to death because he didn't like the way that Tanzi looked at him.
The two interacted at an emergency exit gate on Tuesday afternoon at the Jay Street-MetroTech station in Downtown Brooklyn.
Shortly after the attack, police spotted Mazariegos in Times Square with four of the victim's credit cards, including one he allegedly just used to make a purchase at a nearby Target store.
Police say he also had a katana sword, with a blade length of more than 20 inches, resting in his lap at the time of this arrest.
Authorities say Mazariegos has 17 prior arrests, including for assault earlier this year, petit larceny and graffiti.
Those who knew Tanzi said he was their community protector and friends say he was a local security guard.
"He was a great friend, he kept us safe in the neighborhood, very friendly guy, family-oriented," one friend said.
Originally from Italy, those who knew Tanzi said he comes from a large family and was an usher at St. Athanasius - St. Dominic Parish.
"He was a man of faith and he was a man who was welcoming to others...that was his role at church and he made sure everyone felt welcome at the church and everyone understood they had a place at the church," a pastor at the church said.
Tanzi worked for the Metrotech BID, which is managed by Downtown Brooklyn Project. They released a statement saying, "We are deeply saddened by the passing of Public Safety Officer Nicola Tanzi and our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time."
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