Man Who Murdered Witness Trying To Stop Him From Ransacking Cars Convicted, Prosecutors Say

EAST WILLIAMSBURG, BROOKLYN — A man who fatally shot the brave metal worker who tried to stop him from ransacking cars has been convicted of murder, prosecutors announced Wednesday.

Bryan Aponte, 22 was found guilty of shooting Michael Matusiak, 53, the morning of Oct. 6, 2015, when he was caught breaking into cars on the corner of Grattan Street and Knickerbocker Avenue in East Williamsburg, said the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office.

Matusiak, a father who worked at the nearby ABNY sheet metal shop, and his 57-year-old colleague tried to stop Aponte but the situation quickly became violent, prosecutors said.

Aponte pulled out his gun, turned and shot Matusiak in the chest and buttock, his colleague in the torso and ear, and a 13-year-old girl — who happened to be walking to school nearby — in the hip, said prosecutors.

Matusiak died in the street and Aponte’s other two victims were treated at Elmhurst Hospital, prosecutors said.

Aponte was arrested in his grandparents’ East New York home three weeks later, after they told police their grandson would surrender, according to prosecutors.

Aponte, of Bushwick, was found guilty of murder, attempted murder, assault and criminal possession of a weapon in Brooklyn Criminal Court on Wednesday, prosecutors said.

Aponte is slated to return to court on Aug. 30 where he faces a sentence of up to 57 years to life in prison, according to prosecutors.

Aponte's attorney was not immediately available to comment.

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