NYC School Security Officer, Brother Face 130 Charges Over Explosives, Weapons, and ‘Hit List’
NEW YORK, N.Y. February 1 2024– One of two brothers accused of keeping a huge stash of weapons, explosives, anarchist propaganda, and a celebrity “hit list” has been identified as working as a security officer at a Long Island elementary school.
Andrew Hatziagelis, 39, and Angelo Hatziagelis, 51, were arrested last week at their mother’s apartment after the NYPD, Homeland Security, and State Police uncovered a hit list of the names of police officers, judges, politicians, celebrities, and “banker scum,” reports the New York Post. The brothers also were allegedly in possession of several 3D-printed ghost guns and eight fully operable improvised explosive devices, reports NBC News.
In a statement, District Attorney Melinda Katz said, “We cannot measure the number of lives that were saved, but we do know that these weapons will never hurt anyone.”
Angelo was employed as a security officer at the John F. Kennedy Elementary School in Great Neck. He worked for Arrow Security, reports Fox5NY.
In a statement, Great Neck Public Schools (GNPS) Superintended Kenneth Bossert, Ed.D. said that on January 22, the district was informed that one of its contracted security guards was arrested and facing criminal charges, however, they were not informed of the severity of the charges until January 29.
“It is worth noting that this individual met all New York State requirements to hold an unarmed security guard license at the time of his arrest, including a required criminal background check and fingerprinting,” the statement said. “We have conducted a careful review of all mandated protocols with our contracted service provider, Arrow Security, to ensure no steps were overlooked during the hiring process. Additionally, Arrow Security confirmed that this individual also underwent and passed a full background check by an independent investigations firm, as well as drug testing prior to his placement within GNPS.
“GNPS will continue working with Arrow Security to review vetting protocols and insist upon a rigorous background check procedure beyond what is required by New York State for any individual that is to be placed in any of our school buildings. Additionally, we will advocate for the New York State licensing department to reevaluate the background check requirements for any individual applying to serve as a security guard in a school setting. Lastly, we will continue to strive to fill security positions with retired law enforcement officers whenever possible as indicated in the January 22 correspondence.”
During the January 17 search of the Hatziagelis brothers’ residence, which was located directly across from a Con Edison power plant, law enforcement found:
Eight operational improvised explosive devices (IEDs)
One partially constructed trip-wire IED
Two loaded AR-15 style ghost gun assault weapons, each with a detachable magazine, muzzle compensator and threaded barrel
Two loaded 9 mm semiautomatic ghost gun pistols
Two loaded 9 mm semiautomatic 3D printed ghost gun pistols
One partially constructed AK-47 style ghost gun
Over 600 rounds of ammunition for each of the firearms above
One 3D printer
Three sets of body armor
Six additional AR/pistol lower receivers
29 high-capacity ammunition feeding devices, 13 of which were personally manufactured utilizing a 3D printer
Tools to assemble ghost guns
Metal knuckles
A radio set to the frequency of the 114th Precinct in Astoria
Several electronic devices (phones, computer)
Numerous notebooks containing instructions on the manufacture of explosive devices and anarchist related propaganda
Explosive residue, and components to manufacture additional IEDs
Nine pyrotechnic smoke bombs
If convicted of the charges they face, the Hatziagelis brothers could each serve 25 years in prison.
