Man gets 25 years to life for cold-blooded shooting near Barclays Center after yelling match with stranger
BROOKLYN, NY — A man who gunned down a complete stranger in a crowded Brooklyn intersection just steps from the Barclays Center has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison, eight years after the brazen killing.
Matthew Passaro, 53, was convicted last month of second-degree murder in the 2017 shooting death of 47-year-old Stephen Vargas, who was struck six times after a heated confrontation near the corner of Atlantic and Fourth Avenues in Boerum Hill.
According to prosecutors, Passaro and Vargas had never met before the deadly encounter on the evening of September 20. Witnesses testified that the two men exchanged words at the busy intersection before Passaro walked off, changed his clothes, then returned minutes later and opened fire.
The shooting took place around 8:15 p.m. in front of 578 Atlantic Avenue, just yards from the Barclays Center. Passaro fired seven rounds, six of which hit Vargas in critical areas including his heart, lungs, spine, liver and kidneys, prosecutors said. Vargas died at the scene.
Passaro fled and managed to avoid capture for over a month before he was arrested on November 1 inside the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan. A loaded .45-caliber handgun was recovered from his possession. Forensic analysis later confirmed it was the same weapon used to kill Vargas.
Following his arrest, Passaro admitted to the shooting during a police interview, according to trial testimony.
Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun handed down the sentence on Wednesday, following the defendant’s conviction by a jury on November 18. The case was prosecuted by the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau and Blue Zone Trial Bureau.
Vargas, who lived on Staten Island, was described by loved ones as a devoted brother and uncle. His killing sent shockwaves through the community and drew renewed attention to gun violence near the high-traffic Brooklyn arena.
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Key Points
- Matthew Passaro sentenced to 25 years to life for 2017 murder near Barclays Center
- Victim Stephen Vargas was shot six times following a verbal dispute with the defendant
- Passaro fled the scene but was arrested weeks later with the murder weapon in Manhattan
