Fatal Brooklyn Nightclub Shootout Spurred By Robbery Of Officer: Feds

BROOKLYN, NY — A Brooklyn man has pleaded guilty to his role in a fatal nightclub shootout that started when he tried to rob a federal park cop, according to prosecutors.

John Shortt, 28, pleaded guilty to weapons charges and assaulting a federal police officer on Thursday in the dramatic shootout that unfolded outside East Flatbush nightclub Island Cz Lounge in September, prosectors said.

Shortt and another man awaiting trial had tried to rob a United States Park Police Officer at gunpoint outside the Utica Avenue club when the officer took out his gun, leading to a shootout, prosecutors said.

“With today’s guilty plea, John Shortt is held responsible for causing a wild shoot-out on a public street that resulted in one death, seriously wounded three victims including a federal officer who was targeted by the defendant for a robbery, and endangered numerous other persons,” United States Bren Attorney Peace said.

Shortt and his accomplice, Isiah Greenaway, came up to the park officer and another person outside the nightclub around 3:30 a.m. on Sept. 18, according to prosecutors and reports from the time.

The officer — trying to protect himself and stop the crime — drew his own weapon and announced himself as a police officer, prosecutors said.

But instead, a shootout erupted, killing one man and seriously hurting two other people, prosecutors said. Shortt was also hit by the officer during the shootout, prosecutors said.

When sentenced, Shortt faces up to 27 years in prison, according to prosecutors.

His accomplice, Greenaway, faces the same charges and has a case still pending in the Brooklyn court, prosecutors said.