A handicapped man has been arrested for a double shooting in Staten Island that left one victim dead, cops said Wednesday.
Errol DeGroat, 36, surrendered to authorities on Aug. 6 with his attorney, and is facing murder and gun possession charges, cops said.
He’s accused of shooting Shamel Massie, 28, and another man during 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. skirmish and died at the scene. The second victim, also 28, was blasted in the left arm and was taken to Richmond University Medical Center, where he was treated and released.
DeGroat’s lawyer claims Massie and the other victim sparked the bloody clash.
“Mr. DeGroat, who unfortunately is handicapped, was ambushed by the victim in the case and this, unfortunately, led to his demise,” attorney Mario Gallucci told the Daily News on Wednesday. “When the true facts come out in this, he will be vindicated of all charges.”
Both DeGroat and Massie 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 remained under a white sheet as cops investigated. Several heartbroken friends and relatives consoled one another at the scene.
“My precious!” one woman screamed as she broke down in tears while another family member tried to hug her.
Massie’s mother was overwhelmed with grief.
“That was my son,” Massie’s mother said. “I don’t know what happened. I’m talking to detectives. 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 wheelchair-bound, was shot a decade ago and remained paralyzed from the waist down, officials said.
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