The man accused of killing his millionaire Manhattan dad is straight out of the horror flick “American Psycho’’ — “able to charm . . . with his good looks and his waspy background, but behind that, he was dangerous,’’ a close pal told The Post in an exclusive interview Tuesday.
Thomas Gilbert Jr. should have been locked up for arson and for the violation of a protective order against him long before the slaying — but “wasn’t because he’s a charming, white Princeton graduate,’’ the friend said.
“It’s a case of systemic racism. If Tommy were black or brown, he’d be locked up right now.”
Gilbert is the main suspect in the fire that destroyed the family home of a wealthy rival in Sagaponack, LI, in September — and was even busted three days after the blaze for violating an order of protection before the fire, which had been taken out by the rival, according to sources and court records.
But authorities have yet to charge Gilbert, 30, in the blaze, insisting they don’t have enough evidence, and he’s been free on the alleged protective-order violation, the friend said.
Gilbert is due back in Southampton Town Court on Feb. 2 in the protective-order case.
But he’s unlikely to appear, given that he’s locked up in the Metropolitan Detention Complex without bail for allegedly shooting his father, Wainscott Capital hedge fund founder Thomas Gilbert Sr., 70, on Sunday.
In terms of Gilbert Jr.’s earlier alleged crimes, the source said the son was targeting Peter Smith Jr., son of ex-Lazard financier Peter Smith Sr., because he was convinced that Smith Jr. was bedding a flame.
“[Gilbert Jr.] thought that his girlfriend was cheating on him with Peter,” the source said.
Neither the law firm believed to be representing Gilbert in the protective-order case nor the attorney handling his slay rap returned calls Tuesday.
The Smiths, contacted at their sprawling estate in Easton, Conn., declined to comment.
Meanwhile, Gilbert Sr.’s widow, Shelley, 67, and daughter, Clare, 24, held on to each other as they left the family’s apartment near the United Nations to get a bite to eat at a nearby restaurant Tuesday morning.
“We don’t want to talk, it’s hard enough already,” Shelley Gilbert said, holding her daughter’s arm.
Additional reporting by Georgett Roberts and Lorena Mongelli