Hofstra student killed by friendly fire from a police office

Andrea Rebello (r.), here with her twin Jessica in an Instagram photo, was killed by the friendly fire of a police officer during a shootout with home invader Dalton Smith.

The Hofstra University student killed during a home invasion robbery was the victim of friendly fire from a highly decorated cop who exchanged gunfire with the armed intruder.

"It appears that the fatal bullet was fired by our police officer, who is a medal-of-honor recipient," the source said.

Career criminal Dalton Smith, 30, was identifIed earlier today as the thug responsible for the deadly violence.

Smith was identified by his fingerprints after he was shot dead during the early Friday morning encounter with cops inside the Uniondale home, Nassau County police said.

Police had issued a warrant for Smith's arrest in April after he absconded from parole. His criminal record includes armed robbery and automobile theft convictions, records show.

Smith stormed the California Avenue home just after 2 a.m., demanding money from the man and three women inside. One of the women called 911 when she was asked to go to an ATM to get more cash, police said.

Cops arrived minutes later, exchanging gunfire with Smith, who was shot dead.

Andrea Rebello, 21, of Tarrytown, was also shot and killed during the incident, which took place just two days before spring commencement.

Rebello, 21, was a stunning social butterfly who plastered party pictures all over social media — but she also had a little-known domestic side in which she cooked, gardened and enjoyed family.

The beloved sorority girl — a junior public- relations major with a sociology minor at Hofstra University — was rarely seen without her twin sister, Jessica, friends and teachers said.

“They were always together — like Velcro,” said a friend, Michelle.

Her former principal at Sleepy Hollow HS called the girls “a set,” adding it was difficult to think of them separately.

“She had a devotion to family and sense of purpose and of opportunity,” said Principal Carol Conklin-Spillane.

Rebello grew up well off in Tarrytown, Westchester, where her father, Fernando, runs a successful landscaping company.

In high school, she made the English honor roll. In her yearbook, which features a photo of her in a dark gown, she quoted Benjamin Franklin and Bob Marley. Next to her photo, it reads, “Love the life you live, live the life you love.”