A crew member was shot dead while working on the set of “Law & Order: Organized Crime” in New York City on Tuesday, police and NBC confirmed to Fox News Digital.
The shooting of Johnny Pizarro, 31, occurred just after 5 a.m. Tuesday morning on 229 North Henry Street in Brooklyn, according to Deputy Commissioner, Public Information for the NYPD Julian Phillips.
Mr. Pizarro was working parking enforcement when he was shot multiple times in the face and neck. Authorities discovered Mr. Pizarro when he was unresponsive and rushed the victim to NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull where he was pronounced dead.
“It was crazy,’’ Mr. Pizarro’s devastated colleague said, according to the New York Post. “I didn’t hear an argument or nothing. It was quiet, early morning.”
“It was just a pop, and the [gunman] ran up towards Nassau [Avenue]. I only heard one bang, but I don’t know how many shots,” added the colleague, who asked to remain anonymous. “I don’t even know who would do this or why.’’
A local resident told ABC7 that Pizarro’s job was common in the area.
“They’re just doing their job, just setting out cones and making sure cars are where they belong,” resident Ian Oberholtzer said. “Nothing out of the ordinary, and everyone’s very used to it by now.”
Another resident, 60-year-old Janus Czuj, said he thought the response to the deadly incident was a fake crime scene created for the show.
“This morning I woke up and saw the police officers,” Czuj said. “I thought it was a fake crime scene. I didn’t think it was a real tragedy. … I tried to walk dogs here and saw the tape and thought, ‘Oh, it’s a movie.’ But this was a real shooting.”
An NBC representative told Fox News Digital that they were shocked by the attack.
“We were terribly saddened and shocked to hear that one of our crew members was the victim of a crime early this morning and has died as a result,” an NBC representative told Fox News Digital.
“We are working with local law enforcement as they continue to investigate. Our hearts go out to his family and friends, and we ask that you respect their privacy during this time.”
Mr. Pizarro’s dad, Johnny Pizarro Sr., 54, told The Post that the death of his son has made him feel “lost.”
“It shocked me very hard,’’ Mr. Pizarro Sr. said. “We weren’t close, but he’s my son no matter what. Now he’s gone for good, forever.”
“I feel lost. To me, he was a good boy. He took care of his children,” he added. “He was always nice to me.”
Authorities said the motive for the killing is unknown at this time, and as of Tuesday afternoon, no arrest has been made, but police are searching for the suspected gunman.
