New York

Cops Seek to Question Man in Slaying of Famed Brooklyn Pizzeria Owner

Louis Barbati was found shot twice in the torso in his backyard in Dyker Heights

What to Know

  • Louis Barbati's family has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest
  • Police want to question this man seen in surveillance video
  • Barbati was found shot twice in his Brooklyn backyard last week

Police are looking to question a man in connection with the slaying of a famed Brooklyn pizzeria owner gunned down outside his Brooklyn home last week. 

Authorities released surveillance video that shows the man wearing sunglasses and a hooded sweatshirt walking down the street. Police have yet to identify him but want to talk to him about the death of 61-year-old Louis Barbati, co-owner of L&B Spumoni Gardens. 

Barbati was found shot twice in the torso Thursday in his backyard in Dyker Heights. He was holding a bag containing a large amount of cash at the time, but police said no money was taken. 

Police said he had just returned home from work and was in his backyard when someone fired at him. Barbati's family was in the house at the time.

Spumoni's has long been an institution in Brooklyn, known especially for its pizza "sheets" -- thick-crusted, rectangular Sicilian pizzas in upside-down style, according to Eater NY. 

Barbati owned the restaurant with his two sisters. His family is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

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