‘Law & Order’ security guard slain working Brooklyn set was followed, targeted by suspect
Brooklyn NY Aug 14 2022 A security guard shot and killed on while working on a Brooklyn set of “Law & Order: Organized Crime” was tracked and targeted by a man on a bicycle, said police Friday.
Johnny Pizzaro, 31, was keeping an eye on equipment trucks for the show’s crew on N. Henry St. near Norman Ave. in Greenpoint around 5:15 a.m. July 12 when the gunman attacked.
Chief of Detectives James Essig said that the victim was first assigned to a set at McCarren Park on N. 12th St. and Bedford Ave., and then moved to another post at North Henry St.
“At McCarren Park, we have a man on a bicycle, that male is circling the area as he [the victim] gets a post change,” said Essig. “Five minutes later, that bike follows him.”
Once at the scene of the killing, the bicyclist “circles the block” before striking, said Essig.
“He specifically targets (the victim) in that car. He opens up the driver’s side, shoots him, kills him, and takes off.”
Residents of the block recalled hearing three shots — followed by bedlam.
“Then (there was) a car sound, and then yelling,” resident Ian Oberholtzer, 35, said shortly after the shooting. “I guess people were freaking out.”
Pizzaro also had a large amount of “designer marijuana” in his car that was not stolen, said police. The weed, labeled “Cali” or “California” was stored in a cooler, police said.
Cops were also trying to track down Pizzaro’s associates to see if he was selling the weed or not.
“We don’t know if that was the cause of it (the killing). We don’t know why it wasn’t taken,” Essig said. “We are now tracking the man on the bicycle. We’ve tracked him at least two miles.”
