Charge Ex-Cop Killed Decorated PAPD Officer

Charge Ex-Cop Killed Decorated PAPD Officer

A retired Port Authority cop with service decorations including a medal for his efforts at the scene of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing was fatally shot April 10, allegedly by a retired NYPD officer enraged by a traffic incident. The suspect, Allen Lau, barricaded himself inside his Staten Island home for six hours before surrendering to police, and was subsequently reported to be undergoing psychiatric evaluation.

Looks Like Road Rage

The victim, Steven Vitale, 55, had been returning with his wife from a trip to Atlantic City when he was confronted. Accounts have varied as to whether he cut off Mr. Lau's car or was driving too slowly to suit the other man, who began tailgating the couple's car. At one point Mr. Lau allegedly waved a gun at them.

When Mr. Vitale and his wife, Karen, pulled into a Richmond Hill Rd. strip mall to get food and call 911, Mr. Lau allegedly fired eight shots, striking Mr. Vitale four times and wounding the couple's dog.

Mr. Vitale served 22 years with the Port Authority Police and received the Medal of Valor for his work during the 1993 Trade Center bombing. After retiring he did private security work, including a recent stint in charge of a canine bomb-sniffing team at GSS security systems.

Funeral services were held for him April 17. Mr. Lau had been a cop in the 17th Precinct in Manhattan until his February 2005 retirement.