New York ? An actor who once played an aspiring mobster on “The Sopranos” faces murder charges along with another man in the death of an off-duty police officer, authorities said Sunday.

Lillo Brancato Jr., 29, was hospitalized in critical condition with gunshot wounds suffered when the officer shot him after catching two men breaking into a home. Brancato’s friend Steven Armento, 48, also was shot and in critical condition.

Prosecutors were in the process Sunday of charging Armento with first- and second-degree murder and Brancato with second-degree murder in the death Saturday of Officer Daniel Enchautegui, 28, said Steven Reed, a spokesman for the district attorney’s office.

The two men also face burglary and weapons possession offenses, Reed said.

Enchautegui, a three-year veteran of the force, had returned home after a late-night shift when he heard glass breaking next door. He called 911 to report a possible burglary, then went after the men, police said.

The officer was shot in the chest but managed to shoot both suspects several times, police said.