A suspect accused of shooting a New York City police officer who had his bond paid by a former NFL running back is now working as a for-hire driver, according to a new report.
The New York Post reported that Nelson Pizarro, who is accused of shooting a cop during a drug search, has taken on a new gig as a livery driver after being bailed out of jail by former Green Bay Packers running back Ryan Grant.
After 11 months in jail for allegedly shooting Detective Dominick Libretti in January 2022, Pizarro was let out in December. Police sources told the Post that Pizarro and Grant were “close friends” and that Pizarro was given approval to work as a livery driver after initially being put on house arrest.
Sources added that Pizarro, who has former gun-related and drug convictions, had driven not far from Libretti’s home.
“He’s just got free rein of all the boroughs,” a law enforcement source said. “So there’s pretty much no repercussions for shooting a cop.”
Libretti, who was shot in the leg during the drug raid, said that he was shocked when he learned about Pizarro’s reported gig. Libretti spent about a week in the hospital after the shooting and he had reconstructive surgery.
“How do you not tell me that this guy’s out driving on the freeway,” Libretti reportedly said. “It’s just a slap in the face to the whole job.”
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Grant, who won a Super Bowl with the Packers in 2011, grew up in Rockland County New York before attending the University of Notre Dame. He was injured for the majority of the Packers’ 2011 Super Bowl year, but still got a ring as part of the team.
Pizarro was charged with first-degree attempted murder, attempted aggravated murder of a police officer, criminal possession of a firearm, and attempted assault with a weapon.
He said that he believed his house was being broken into during the police operation. “I thought I was getting robbed,” he reportedly said. “Is the cop going to be OK?”
Lance Lazzaro, who is representing Pizarro, said that the bail had been set too high.
Only one side of the story has been told so far,” he said. “The bail should never have been that high.”