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Murder in Brooklyn, New York, October 7, 2025

Nicola Tanzi, 64

Brooklyn church usher and security guard. Held a door open for Mazariegos at the Jay Street-MetroTech subway station — Mazariegos turned and attacked.

Released by a judge
  1. Original charge
    Assault on elderly security guard (Chelsea); subsequent downgraded misdemeanor charges
    June 15, 2025
  2. Released
    Released on own recognizance (after charges downgraded)
    July 10, 2025
  3. 89 days later
    Murder
    October 7, 2025

What happened

Tanzi held a door for Mazariegos at the Jay Street-MetroTech station. Mazariegos turned and punched, kicked, and stomped on Tanzi's head 15 times, killing him on camera. He fled with Tanzi's credit cards. NYPD arrested him hours later in Times Square carrying a samurai sword. He has confessed to the killing.

The release decision

On June 15, 2025, David Mazariegos was charged with assault on elderly security guard (chelsea); subsequent downgraded misdemeanor charges. Criminal Court Judge Robert Rosenthal ordered the release on July 10, 2025. Terms: released on own recognizance (after charges downgraded). Prosecutors had asked for higher charges / detention. The defendant had 33 prior arrests at the time.

The defendant's record

At least 33 prior arrests (some outlets report 17 as a lower-bound count). Released on $1,000 bail in June 2025 for a similar assault on an elderly guard. Released ROR at a July 2025 hearing after charges were downgraded to misdemeanors.

Sources