\'Sopranos\' Actor Suspect in NYPD Officer\'s Shooting

Saturday, December 10, 2005

NEW YORK — A young police officer dying from a bullet to his chest shot two burglars early Saturday, one of them identified as an actor who played a misfit mobster on "The Sopranos."

Officer Daniel Enchautegui, 28, collapsed in the driveway of his Bronx home and died shortly afterward.

The wounded suspects were quickly captured. Investigators identified one as Lillo Brancato Jr. , an actor who got his break in the Robert De Niro-directed film "A Bronx Tale" [he played "C" aged 17] in 1993, and played doomed mob wannabe Matt Bevilacqua during the 1999-2000 season of "The Sopranos."

Brancato, 29, of Yonkers, was also arrested in June for alleged heroin possession.

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said the actor and another man were breaking into a vacant home when Enchautegui, who had just finished a late-night shift, heard the sound of smashing glass next door.

Enchautegui was off duty and in his street clothes, but he alerted his landlord and dialed 911 to report a possible burglary in progress. Then he grabbed his badge and a gun and went out to investigate.

His landlord heard Enchautegui shout, "Police! Don't move!" followed by a burst of gunfire, Kelly said.

The alleged gunman, Steven Armento of Yonkers, was shot four times and was in serious condition. Brancato, who police said was unarmed, was shot twice and was in critical condition.

Police said Armento had a lengthy history of arrests on weapons, drugs and burglary charges, and was running with the murder weapon when an officer spotted him near Enchautegui's home and ordered him to stop.

Because of their injuries, there were no immediate plans to arraign the suspects, said Steven Reed, a spokesman for the district attorney. He said he had no information about whether the suspects had lawyers who could comment.

Enchautegui, who was single and had been on the force for three years, was the second officer to die in the line of duty this year. Officer Dillon Stewart was shot in the heart Nov. 28 during a car chase; a suspect has been charged with murder.

"This is a loss to the department and the city," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said. "We now have another life to mourn, taken from us for no sensible reason."

Kelly praised the slain officer for his "incomprehensible courage."

Damn. ....and I thought Robert Iler was going downhill.

Another example of someone who can't stand success.

Gee, I think I'll go out and get myself hooked on something that will probably kill me if it doesn't just harm me horribly, destroy my career, my family, and use up any money I have. Che stupido!

I remember him. Didn't know his real name though.

Wow!! That's awful Burglarizing a vacant home???


TIS

Sure, TIS! You remembered those abs, but didn't remember his name -- I know where your mind is at!!

Sure, TIS! You remembered those abs, but didn't remember his name -- I know where your mind is at!! [/b][/quote]

Do you notice that the news is playing up his Soprano role? Granted, he was in it, but only a few episodes. I think they like to "imply" a "crime" connection no?

TIS

Sure, TIS! You remembered those abs, but didn't remember his name -- I know where your mind is at!! [/b][/quote]

Do you notice that the news is playing up his Soprano role? Granted, he was in it, but only a few episodes. I think they like to "imply" a "crime" connection no?

I agree with you on the news they said a sopranos star this and that this star from the sopranos blah blah all they did was say over and over he was on the sopranos and he wasn't that much of a star considering he was only in a few episodes than he died I mean its not like he was Pussy or anything.

Yeah, if it were Pussy or Tony or somebody I'd see it as big news. Hell, he hasn't worked (except about 3 episodes of the Sopranos) since A Bronx Tale.

Sad news indeed. Lillo was also in the short lived Falcone series. He gets whacked in the short lived series. Also besides a Bronx Tale, Brancato was in Crimson Tide along with James Gandolfini.

What a waste!