New York

Man With Ties to Bonanno Family Shot in Botched NYC Hit Caught on Camera: Sources

The victim was rushed to an area hospital, where he is in critical but stable condition, authorities say

What to Know

  • A man was seriously injured after a gunman hit him with several bullets during a shooting in the Bronx on Wednesday, police say
  • Law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation say it was a botched hit on a man who has ties to the Bonanno crime family
  • No arrests have been made and police urge witnesses with tips to call Crime Stoppers

A man with ties to the Bonanno crime family was nearly killed in a botched mob hit that saw gunfire rain on a Bronx street in broad daylight, law enforcement sources familiar with the case tell NBC 4 New York. 

The attack played out around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday as the shooter opened fire on Salvatore Zottola, 41, in Throgs Neck, near Tierney Place and Locust Point Drive. Zottola was hit by several bullets in his torso and hand; he also suffered graze wounds to his head, police said.

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Video from the scene released by the NYPD late Thursday shows the shooter first fire at the victim, identified by the sources as Zottola, from a moving car. Zottola is then seen in the grainy surveillance video trying to duck for cover behind a minivan before the suspect leaps out of the car, shoots several more times and flees in the red sedan.

The victim was taken to a hospital, where he is in critical but stable condition, authorities said. Sources tell News 4 that Zottola's father was arrested back in June after allegedly shooting a man who pulled a gun on him outside of his home. Both men have been linked to the Bonanno crime family in the past.

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It wasn't clear whether Wednesday's attack was related to Zottola's father's alleged shooting. 

Police said the suspect’s getaway vehicle is a red Nissan with yellow license plates. It was being driven by somebody else, not the shooter, officials said.

No arrests have been made. Police urge witnesses with tips to call Crime Stoppers.

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