9/11 first responder ‘who shot a man dead in a South Carolina Chick-fil-A parking lot after using homophobic slurs’ is charged with murder

A September 11 first responder is in custody in South Carolina, where he is accused of fatally shooting a man he fought with in broad daylight in the Chick-fil-A parking lot on March 20.

Anthony DeLustro, 64, who was a member of the Summerville, Palmetto, Police Department at the time of the shooting, is described by witnesses as the “aggressor” in the dispute.

The incident occurred in the community of Summerville, just northwest of Charleston.

Those witnesses said DeLustro — who has since been fired — became involved in a dispute in the parking lot with Michael O’Neal, 39. It’s not clear what led to the fight. Bystanders saw the pair get out of their car in front of the restaurant and get into an argument.

During the argument, DeLustro called O’Neal a homophobic slur. Despite repeated attempts by others, including DeLustro’s wife Pilar, to de-escalate the situation, the former NYPD officer continued to try to fight O’Neal.

It culminated with DeLustro getting into the passenger seat of O’Neal’s car as the victim tried to drive away. With the engine revved to one, DeLustro shot O’Neal, prosecutors said.

During a hearing this week, DeLustro asked for mercy as he brought up his heroism on September 11, developing cancer, the tragedy of losing their special needs daughter Kristina in 2021 and raising two of their grandchildren.

Michael O’Neal, 39, pictured on a GoFundMe page set up by friends to help his family through this time

The Chick-fil-A restaurant in Summerville, South Carolina, where the shooting occurred

‘We raised them and sent them to a Catholic school and tried to offer them a good life. Any grace you can show me where I can be with them and help them get through this, I would appreciate it,” reports The post and courier.

O’Neal came from a family of law enforcement officers. His father was a 30-year veteran of the Winston-Salem Police Department, while his father was a former police chief in Burlington, North Carolina.

This week, WPDE reported that a personnel file on DeLustro stated that he had problems with his temper and that he was frustrated with the staff.

Online records show that DeLustro worked for the NYPD between December 1980 and February 2003. From there he took a job in security at Trident Tech College in North Carolina. He started working in Summerville in 2007.

He first left Summerville in 2009 to work at the College of Charleston Public Safety, Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office and Citadel Public Safety. DeLustro took another job in Summerville in January 2023.

However, Summerville Police Chief Doug Wright described DeLustro in glowing terms during a news conference this week.

“I could tell you that if we had any indication that he was anything but that, he would not be allowed to continue on his path in law enforcement – ​​I know that for a fact.”

“But what I can tell you is that he was well respected among the officers here, both from a professional standpoint, because of his experience, but also because of his age and maturity,” Wright said.

Friends said O’Neal was in South Carolina to begin training for a new job

The North Carolina native is the son of a 30-year police officer and the grandson of a Burlington police chief

Summerville Police Chief Doug Wright is updating the public on DeLustro’s arrest this week

The judge ordered DeLustro held behind bars until at least his next hearing, which is scheduled for June 14.

In the midst of their brawl, witnesses said DeLustro identified himself as a Summerville officer and even threatened to arrest O’Neal.

At his news conference, Chief Wright said that once DeLustro identified himself as an officer, he was acting in an official capacity, but he did not know why he would have brandished his gun.

“I cannot speak to his mentality that day as to what he endured or what led him to make the decisions he allegedly made that led to his subsequent arrest,” the chief said.

“How he got to the point where the decision was made to do what he did, we don’t know those answers.”

At some point during the brawl, DeLustro’s gun fell out of its holster. Shortly afterwards, O’Neal said he was leaving. The suspect then threatened to shoot him, witnesses said, according to The Post and Courier.

When O’Neal got into his car to drive away, DeLustro got in as well. The victim was heard yelling, “Get out of my car!”

One shot was heard, and O’Neal’s car came to a stop near the Chick-fil-A driveway.

The wound struck O’Neal’s arm and penetrated his chest, killing him. He was pronounced dead at the scene. DeLustro was treated for minor injuries.

O’Neal, a resident of Pfafftown, North Carolina, was preparing for a new job in Summerville.

DeLustro was fired by the Summerville Police Department on April 10, the same day State Enforcement announced the arrest warrant. He was on paid administrative leave in the aftermath of the shooting.