NYPD: Sylvester Zottola, a reputed gangster, was killed while waiting at the wheel of McDonald's in the Bronx

CLAREMONT, Bronx –

Police said that a reputed gangster had been killed while queuing at the wheel of a McDonald's in the Bronx on Thursday night.

The incident was reported at the 1600 block restaurant on Webster Avenue shortly before 5 pm.

Police said Sylvester Zottola, 71, was an alleged collaborator of the Bonanno family. He was waiting for his food inside his sport utility vehicle when several shots were fired in what the police thought was a hit.

It was not the first time that he was targeted. Zottola survived a knife attack last December and was arrested earlier this year for firing at a man who shot at him outside in front of his home in the Bronx.

Salvatore, his 41-year-old son, survived an assassination attempt when an armed gunman opened fire on him in front of his home in Throggs Neck in July. In this example and in Thursday's homicide, the leaked car was a dark colored vehicle.

Father and son have been frequently involved in acts of violence, which, according to law enforcement officials, is linked to ongoing conflicts among the crowd.

Sources said the two men were affiliated with former Bonanno family leader Vincent "Vinny Gorgeous" Basciano, who is currently serving a life sentence for a 2007 murder conviction.