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Sylvester Zottola was shot dead in the Claremont neighborhood of the Bronx. Zottola, 71, has long been suspected of belonging to the Bonanno crime family and has faced at least three separate attacks in the past 12 months.
Here's what you need to know.
1. Sylvester Zottola was targeted by a "mafia assassination" while waiting for food at McDonald's
Sylvester Zottola was shot and wounded at least four times while sitting in his car in a McDonald's drive-in on October 4, 2018. Sources told the New York Post that Zottola had been shot in the head, on shoulders and chest.
A source described the shooting at New York Times like a mafia style assassination. Zottola was declared dead on the scene. No arrests were made.
2. Sylvester Zottola was targeted at least three times during the past year and was stabbed to the neck during one of these attacks.
Bronx Criminal CourtSylvester Zottola Charged in Bronx Criminal Court
Sylvester Zottola has been targeted at least three times in the last 12 months. In September 2017, he was reportedly beaten on the head as he was walking near his home in the Bronx. Then, in December 2017, he was stabbed at his neck at home. The attackers reportedly burgled the house when Sylvester entered.
In June 2018, Zottola told the police that a man had threatened him with a gun outside his home. He fired with his own weapon, supposedly in self-defense. Zottola was arrested and charged with three crimes and one misdemeanor, including for criminal possession of a second degree weapon. According to the court records, Zottola was scheduled to return to court on October 9 in the case.
3. Zottola was accused of having links with the mafia
Sylvester Zottola had the reputation of associating with alleged Mafia members. He was suspected of being involved in the Bonanno criminals family in New York.
Sylvester Zottola was specifically related to Vincent Basciano, otherwise known as "Vinny Gorgeous". He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2011 for two murders.
Sylvester Zottola reportedly teamed up with Basciano to run the Joker Poker machines, according to court documents filed in the eastern district of New York. In 2006, Basciano was convicted of Racketeering Conspiracy tied to slot machines. The record also shows that Basciano was accused of ordering to assault a man identified as Frank Porco, because he had quarreled with Sylvester Zottola.
4. Salvatore, son of Sylvester, survived a shooting in July 2018
Salvatore Zottola was shot in front of the family home on July 11, 2018, around 6:30 am The attack was filmed by a surveillance camera. Salvatore was beside his own vehicle when another car stopped next to it.
A gunman came out of the car and pulled the trigger, hitting Salvatore three times. He survived the attack, but refused to cooperate with the hospital investigators. No arrests were made.
5. The Zottola family is well known in the Bronx; Sylvester and his son built the large family property
Google MapsZottola at home in the Bronx
The Zottola family is well known in the Bronx. According to the Bronx Times, Sylvester and his son Salvatore were responsible for building a sumptuous waterfront property near the Locust Point Marina at the eastern end of the borough. The neighbors told the newspaper that the Zottola had used the property for the summer meetings.
According to the New York Daily News, the family would own at least three four-story homes in the area. There is a sign nearby that marks the area as "Zottola Court".
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