Beloved Security Guard Nicola Tanzi Beaten to Death by 25-Year-Old David Mazariegos

In a shocking display of unprovoked violence, 64-year-old security guard Nicola “Nick” Tanzi was brutally beaten to death at a busy Brooklyn subway station on October 7, 2025. The assailant, 25-year-old David Mazariegos, allegedly attacked Nicola Tanzi over a perceived slight, delivering a savage assault that left the victim with fatal head injuries. Authorities described the incident as random and senseless, highlighting ongoing concerns about public safety in New York City’s transit system.

Nicola Tanzi, a longtime resident of Brooklyn’s Bensonhurst neighborhood and a pillar of his community, succumbed to his injuries the following day at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. Mazariegos was apprehended hours later in Manhattan and charged with murder, robbery, and related offenses. This tragedy has ignited public outrage, with officials and residents calling for stricter measures against repeat offenders.

The attack unfolded around 3 p.m. at the Jay Street-MetroTech station in Downtown Brooklyn, a major transit hub serving thousands of commuters daily. Nicola Tanzi, employed as a public safety officer by the MetroTech Business Improvement District (BID), was on duty near the station entrance. Witnesses reported that Mazariegos, attempting to enter through a restricted gate, was approached by Tanzi, who courteously held the gate open for him—a gesture consistent with the victim’s known character.

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Instead of gratitude, Mazariegos responded with fury, claiming later to police that he disliked the way Tanzi looked at him and believed the guard was mocking him. According to prosecutors and NYPD sources, Mazariegos launched into an immediate and ferocious assault. He punched Tanzi in the face, knocking him to the ground. As the 64-year-old lay defenseless, Mazariegos kicked and stomped on his head and upper body approximately 15 times, targeting the face and skull with repeated blows.

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Bystanders, horrified, called 911, but the violence was over in minutes. Tanzi suffered severe trauma, including a skull fracture, crushed nasal bone, and extensive facial injuries. He was found unconscious and bleeding profusely by responding officers, who rendered aid until paramedics arrived. The suspect rifled through Tanzi’s pockets during or after the beating, stealing his wallet, ID, credit cards, and debit cards before fleeing the scene on a northbound 2 train from nearby Hoyt Street.

The brutality of the attack was underscored by Mazariegos’ own confession upon arrest. Interrogated by detectives, he admitted to the killing, stating he targeted Tanzi “because he didn’t like the way he looked at him” and that he intended to “take his spirit.” This chilling admission, coupled with the methodical nature of the robbery, painted a picture of a calculated and remorseless act. Surveillance footage from the station corroborated witness accounts, showing the one-sided assault in stark detail. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch praised the swift response, noting that officers circulated Mazariegos’ photo citywide within hours, leading to his capture.

The Swift Pursuit and Arrest of David Mazariegos

Mazariegos’ flight from the scene was short-lived, thanks to rapid police action and a bit of luck. After boarding the 2 train toward the Bronx—his home borough—he exited in Manhattan and used one of Tanzi’s stolen credit cards to make purchases at a store in Times Square. Among the items bought were a katana sword over 20 inches long, herbs, socks, and a hat, totaling several hundred dollars. These transactions triggered alerts on the card, providing investigators with a digital trail.

By early evening, NYPD officers patrolling near Times Square received the suspect’s description and photo. “Eagle-eyed cops” spotted Mazariegos matching the alert at West 42nd Street and Broadway, just blocks from the Target store where a report of a man with a knife had come in minutes earlier. Upon approach, officers recovered the sword from his possession, along with four of Tanzi’s credit and debit cards. Mazariegos offered no resistance and was taken into custody without incident. A search revealed no additional weapons, but his possession of the sword raised immediate concerns about his intentions.

Charged initially in Manhattan for the card fraud, Mazariegos was transferred to Brooklyn Criminal Court for the murder case. On October 9, 2025, he appeared before a judge in a torn white jumpsuit, facing charges of first- and second-degree murder, robbery, grand larceny, and criminal possession of a weapon. Prosecutors detailed the unprovoked nature of the attack, emphasizing the robbery’s opportunistic element. Mazariegos, represented by a public defender, remained silent during the arraignment and was held without bail, deemed a flight risk and danger to the community. His next court appearance is scheduled for later this month, with the district attorney’s office vowing to seek the maximum penalties.

Mazariegos’ criminal history is extensive and troubling, spanning years of escalating offenses. Records show at least 17 prior arrests in New York, including multiple counts of assault, petit larceny, graffiti, and a conviction for arson. Just weeks before the fatal incident, on September 26, 2025, he was arrested for disorderly conduct after climbing on vehicles and jumping on their hoods in Manhattan.

Earlier in July, he faced charges for assault. Associates described him as an aspiring artist who sold drawings—often featuring animated characters—on the streets of Times Square, but noted persistent “anger issues.” Despite interventions, including gym programs aimed at channeling his energy, Mazariegos remained unhoused and volatile, with a pattern of brushes with the law that failed to result in long-term incarceration.

Remembering Nicola Tanzi: A Life of Quiet Service

Nicola Tanzi was more than a victim; he was a cherished figure whose life exemplified quiet dedication and unwavering kindness. Born in Bari, Italy, Tanzi immigrated to the United States decades ago and settled in Brooklyn’s Carroll Gardens neighborhood before moving to Bensonhurst, where he lived for over 20 years. The youngest of six brothers, he was a devout Catholic who attended services regularly at St. Dominic’s Parish in Bensonhurst and Sacred Hearts and St. Stephen Catholic Church in Carroll Gardens. ‘

As an usher at both churches, he greeted parishioners with a warm smile, often in English or Italian, depending on the Mass. “He was a tremendous man of faith, a good soul,” said Deacon John Heyer, who knew Tanzi for years. “If you were his friend, he’d do anything for you.” Tanzi’s professional life revolved around protecting his community. For the past several years, he worked as a security guard for the MetroTech BID, patrolling the Downtown Brooklyn area near the Jay Street station.

Colleagues and neighbors recalled him as a vigilant yet gentle presence, always ready to lend a hand—whether holding a door or offering directions to lost tourists. The BID issued a statement expressing profound sadness: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Public Safety Officer Nicola Tanzi and our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.” Tanzi had been looking forward to retirement in 2026, planning to spend more time with siblings, cousins, and his tight-knit Italian-American circle. His nephew, Christopher Tanzi, noted that the 64-year-old was excited about unwinding after a career spent safeguarding others.

Friends and fellow congregants gathered in the days following his death to share memories, painting a portrait of a “simple, peaceful guy” who avoided conflict and thrived on human connection. “He liked to tell jokes, always went out of his way for people,” Heyer added. “Bad things happen to good people, and this is a perfect example.” Tanzi’s final act—holding the gate open—epitomized his character, a selfless gesture that tragically proved fatal. No public funeral details have been released, but community leaders have pledged support for his family, including donations to cover expenses.

Broader Implications: A Call for Transit Safety Reforms

The killing of Nicola Tanzi has reverberated beyond Brooklyn, fueling debates on urban safety, recidivism, and the vulnerabilities of public transit workers. Advocacy groups for security personnel decried the incident as emblematic of rising assaults on transit staff, citing statistics showing a 20% increase in such attacks citywide in 2025. Tanzi’s death marks the latest in a string of subway-related homicides, prompting renewed scrutiny of mental health resources and enforcement in the system.

Political figures quickly weighed in, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy blaming New York Governor Kathy Hochul for lax policies on repeat offenders. In a social media post, Duffy stated, “Gov. Kathy Hochul has blood on her hands. Nicola Tanzi’s life was taken by another repeat offender roaming New York’s streets freely.” The governor’s office has not responded directly, but city officials announced plans to bolster patrols at high-traffic stations like Jay Street-MetroTech. NYPD Commissioner Tisch emphasized the department’s commitment, saying the rapid arrest demonstrated effective inter-borough coordination.

As the case progresses, it serves as a stark reminder of the human cost behind everyday heroism. Tanzi’s legacy endures not in headlines, but in the lives he touched through faith, friendship, and quiet service. For Mazariegos, the path forward is one of accountability, with prosecutors prepared to argue that his history of violence warranted intervention long before this fatal encounter. New York mourns a good man lost too soon, urging a collective push for safer streets where kindness is met with respect, not rage.