L&B Spumoni Gardens Murder Suspect Arrested By Feds

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Federal authorities have arrested a suspect in connection to the murder of Spumoni Gardens co-owner Louis Barbati, police said.

Andres Fernandez was arrested on Thursday afternoon in connection to the case, authorities said.

Barbati, 61, was ambushed by a gunman outside his Dyker Heights, Brooklyn home at around 7 p.m. Thursday, June 30. The gunman fired off shot after shot at close range, police said.

As CBS2's Jessica Layton reported, Fernandez made his first appearance in court on Thursday.

Authorities say he was on surveillance footage hiding behind a tree, putting on a glove, and holding what appears to be a firearm.

In another clip they said he was seen getting into a car and taking off, they were able to track the plates. Cell phone data also put him at the murder scene and at L&B Spumoni Gardens earlier in the day.

"The Barbati family, months later now, is relieved that an arrest has been made and they look forward to justice being metered out swiftly," the family's attorney, Arthur Idala, told 1010 WINS. "There's no way that they can bring Lulu back, but it will be some sort of closure for them if Mr. Fernandez is convicted for this crime."

Outside of court in Brooklyn, family and friends reacted to the arrest they've waited months for.

"The family intends to continue going to court and see this thing through. It's not gonna bring Lulu back obviously, but we're gonna follow through," Phillip Gregory told CBS2's Alice Gainer.

The family said the man is a stranger to them and that Thursday in court was the first time they've ever seen him.

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.

Barbati was carrying $15,000 cash and a loaf of bread in a bag when he was shot, but the killer did not take any cash, authorities said.

Following the incident, the suspect then fled the scene in a white Acura. According to the complaint, a white 2014 Acura TL is registered in Fernandez' name.

The complaint also alleges that cell phone data obtained by investigators also places Fernandez at the scene of the murder.

Fernandez is expected to appear in court for arraignment on Thursday.