A Summerville, South Carolina police officer with a background in the NYPD is facing murder charges after allegedly shooting and killing an unarmed man outside a Chick-fil-A. Anthony DeLustro, 64, was accused of fatally shooting 39-year-old Michael O’Neal on March 20 during a dispute that escalated in the restaurant’s parking lot. Initially claiming self-defense, DeLustro stated he feared for the safety of the community and his wife.
However, eyewitness accounts and video evidence obtained by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) contradicted DeLustro’s self-defense claim. SLED’s investigation revealed that DeLustro acted with malice when he shot O’Neal, who was unarmed and attempting to leave the scene. Witness statements indicated that DeLustro was the primary aggressor in the altercation, culminating in a physical confrontation where O’Neal tried to disengage and leave.
Despite DeLustro’s attempts to prevent O’Neal from leaving, the victim got into his vehicle to drive away. DeLustro responded by entering the passenger seat of O’Neal’s car with his department handgun, warning that he would shoot if O’Neal left. When O’Neal ignored the warning and began to drive away, DeLustro fired a single shot, fatally striking O’Neal before emergency responders could arrive.
Following the shooting, the Summerville Police Department placed DeLustro on administrative leave and handed over the investigation to SLED. The department later terminated DeLustro’s employment after he was charged with murder.
This incident has left two families reeling, as both the victim’s and the accused officer’s families grapple with the aftermath. O’Neal’s cousin has established a GoFundMe page to support the family with funeral costs, seeking answers as the investigation unfolds. DeLustro, who began his law enforcement career with the NYPD and faced previous complaints of misconduct, is currently under ongoing investigation by SLED.
The case underscores the complexities and challenges of ensuring accountability in law enforcement and the importance of thorough investigations to uncover the truth behind tragic incidents like this one. As the legal process unfolds, the families and communities impacted by this tragedy seek closure and justice for the loss of Michael O’Neal.