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Feuding Neighbors Get In Deadly Shootout In Bensonhurst
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Mar 9, 2011
Modified Mar 9, 2011
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By
Jaya Saxena
Published Mar 9, 2011
Modified Mar 9, 2011
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Two long-feuding neighbors got into an argument inside a barber shop in Bensonhurst yesterday, leaving one neighbor dead of a gunshot wound to the head. Carmelo Calabro, 77, lived next door to Michael Mininni, 25, and his family on Bay 13th Street, and reportedly hated the Minninis so much that he erected a six-foot stone wall between their houses. Over 30 years living next door to each other the families have filed 14 harassment suits against each other, and yesterday the fighting boiled over into violence.
Minnini was at a barber shop on 1706 Bath Avenue when Calabro entered, waving a gun and arguing with Minnini. Minnini, an off-duty Corrections Officer, began physically fighting with Calabro, and then pulled his service-issued handgun and, according to witnesses, shot Calabro in the head. Minnini reportedly told a witness, "This guy was going to take someone out. He was on the warpath." Another neighbor said of Calabro, The guy was a little bit off the wall, you know, the guy that got shot. He pulled a shotgun out on somebody once too before, but nothing happened. He looked wild, but I thought he was harmless.”
No charges have been filed against Minnini, and Norman Seabrook, the president of the Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association said, “What occurred this afternoon in Brooklyn was a horrible tragedy for the families of all of those involved. However, the Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association firmly believes Correction Officer Mininni acted in self-defense when his life was suddenly threatened by an apparent assailant. We will do everything possible to ensure his rights are protected moving forward.”
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bensonhurst
brooklyn
feud
Michael Mininni
neighbors
shooting
wall
Jaya Saxena
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