Maniac who randomly beat beloved security guard to death at NYC subway station found mentally unfit for trial

The tragic incident that occurred at a Brooklyn subway station on October 7, 2025, has left the community in shock. David Mazariegos, a 25-year-old man, has been deemed mentally unfit to stand trial for the brutal killing of Nicola Tanzi, a 64-year-old security guard at MetroTech. The court heard on Friday that Mazariegos will be committed to a state psychiatric hospital due to his mental health condition.

Judge Dineen Riviezzo revealed that Mazariegos, a struggling artist with a history of legal troubles, had been found unfit for trial. He expressed hope for the man’s recovery and future return to court when he is in a better mental state. Mazariegos, who appeared subdued and sleepy in his orange prison outfit, will face first-degree murder charges once he is deemed mentally fit for trial.

The incident took place at the Jay Street-MetroTech station, where Mazariegos allegedly punched Tanzi in the face before repeatedly stomping on him until his body went limp. Tanzi, a devout Catholic who had worked at the station for 15 years, tragically passed away from his injuries. Mazariegos was found in possession of Tanzi’s debit and credit cards, which he used to purchase a samurai sword. He was apprehended in Times Square shortly after the incident.

Despite confessing to the attack and robbery, Mazariegos’s mental state has raised concerns about his ability to stand trial. His attorney, Zwi Wasserstein, chose not to comment on the case following Friday’s hearing. The community mourns the loss of Nicola Tanzi and hopes for justice to be served once David Mazariegos is fit to stand trial.