Watch CBS News

NYPD Releases Video Of Person Wanted For Questioning In Shooting Of L&B Spumoni Gardens Co-Owner

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The NYPD on Tuesday released surveillance video of a man wanted for questioning in connection to the shooting of L&B Spumoni Gardens co-owner Louis Barbati.

As CBS2's Christine Sloan reported, police said a gunman ambushed Barbati outside his home at around 7 p.m. last Thursday, firing off shot after shot at close range while he was in front of his Dyker Heights, Brooklyn home.

Police believe Barbati parked his white sport-utility vehicle in front of his own garage, walked a few steps up the sidewalk, and through the gate where he was shot dead.

Barbati's wife and two sons were just feet away inside their house as he was struck five times, police said, dying in his own backyard.

"To hit one of these guys, why?" one area resident said.

Police believe Barbati was targeted. He was carrying a bag with thousands of dollars inside before being shot several times at close range. But the killer didn't take the cash.

The unidentified suspect was caught on video walking near the crime scene wearing a dark hoodie and shorts, police said.

Meanwhile at L&B Spumoni Gardens, the famed pizzeria Barbati co-owned, customers were overwhelmed with sadness Tuesday. They stopped by to pay their respects at a memorial in front.

"I have been coming here since, my God, the early 80s – so going back many years -- and he's always been such a presence here," said Robert Augustine of Brooklyn. "And he was just someone that was practically like family."

The pizzeria was closed as hundreds gathered at Barbati's funeral Tuesday.

"All the workers here that make the sauce and make the pizzas and work in the kitchen" attended the funeral, said Thomas Matongi of Brooklyn.

This past winter, Barbati was the subject of a CBS2 News feature where he proudly showed off his restaurant.

Barbati was known as Lou Lou to friends, including one man who once worked at L&B Spumoni Gardens.

"Great guy -- a good family; had two great kids; a wife," the former employee said.

Late Tuesday, sources said police were working on a theory that Barbati was killed in a botched robbery. No one in the neighborhood seemed to know the man in the video, but they wanted him caught.

The family is putting up $50,000 as a reward in the case.

The NYPD is asking anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS or by logging on to their website at www.NYPDcrimestoppers.com

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.