A disabled man has been arrested in connection with a double shooting on Staten Island that left one victim dead, police said Wednesday.
Errol DeGroat, 36, surrendered to authorities Aug. 6 with his attorney and is charged with murder and firearm possession, police said.
He is accused of shooting Shamel Massie, 28, and another man in a July 31 shooting at the Mariners Harbor Houses on Roxbury St. near Grandview Ave.
Massie was shot in the head and both arms during the 5:10 a.m. scuffle and died at the scene. The second victim, also 28, was shot in the left arm and was taken to Richmond University Medical Center, where he was treated and released.
DeGroat’s attorney claims Massie and the other victim started the bloody fight.
“Mr. DeGroat, who is unfortunately disabled, was ambushed by the victim in this case and that unfortunately led to his death,” attorney Mario Gallucci told the Daily News Wednesday. “When the true facts come to light, he will be exonerated of all charges.”
DeGroat and Massie both live in the same NYCHA complex, cops said.
DeGroat was ordered held without bail after his arraignment and is currently on Rikers Island awaiting his next court date.
Hours after the shooting, Massie’s body still lay under a white sheet as police investigated. Several heartbroken friends and relatives consoled each other at the scene.
“My precious!” one woman cried, bursting into tears as another family member tried to hug her.
Massie’s mother was grief-stricken.
“He was my son,” Massie’s mother said. “I don’t know what happened. I’m talking to investigators. He was a good person.”
Massie was arrested for a stabbing in Mariners Harbor a decade ago. He was also arrested for participating in a home invasion on Staten Island in 2017, records show.
DeGroat, who is in a wheelchair, was shot a decade ago and left paralyzed from the waist down, authorities said.
