Possible motive detailed in pizza restaurant owner's murder
NEW YORK -- Police believe the man who shot and killed the co-owner of an iconic Brooklyn pizza restaurant Thursday likely knew the victim was carrying thousands of dollars in cash, reports CBS New York.
A manhunt is underway for the gunman who killed 61-year-old Louis Barbati, who had just arrived home from L&B Spumoni Gardens carrying a bag of $10,000 and a loaf of bread. A gunman ambushed Barbati, firing shot after shot at close range.
"We believe someone was there waiting for him, at which time he approached him at the rear of the home," said NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce. "Someone knew he had that money. He did not carry that large sums often."
Barbati's wife and two sons were just feet away inside their house as he was struck five times, police said. Family members were seen Friday washing down the bloody crime scene at their home, where three bullet holes could be seen in a fence, CBS New York reported.
Neighbors said the shooter opened fire as young kids were riding their bikes on the street.
"They were waiting for him," said neighbor Joe Scanio. "They knew what they wanted."
NYPD Deputy Chief Vincent DiDonato said witnesses reported seeing a white man in his 30s and wearing a dark hoodie and gray pants running westbound on 76th Street toward 11th Avenue.