Family Of Beloved Pizzeria Owner Offering $50,000 Reward In Murder Mystery

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork)-- Family and friends attended a wake for the owner of a famous Brooklyn pizzeria after he was killed in a murder mystery.

A cash reward is now being offered to catch his killer, CBS2's Jessica Layton reported.

There was heartache and hugs outside Scarpace Funeral Home in Brooklyn Sunday night as family and friends of 61-year-old Louis Barbati gathered to grieve.

"It's shocking because he's such a family man," niece Angela McDonald said.

McDonald still can't believe her uncle was gunned down outside his Dyker Heights home Thursday as he was returning to have dinner with the family. The table was already set. His wife was waiting.

"Still blood under her fingernails from trying to save his life. She thought it was a firework, it's a nightmare," McDonald said.

Through tears, she told CBS2 Barbati was a funny guy who worked hard and adored the third generation family business -- L & B Spumoni Gardens -- a popular pizzeria.

As mourners dealt with the pain of this mysterious murder, police are pressing on in their investigation. They 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.

"We're hoping and praying leads come in," relative Philip Gregory said.

And to help with that, the family is putting up $50,000 as a reward in the case.

"Someone who would do this to Lou Lou could do it to anybody in New York," Gregory said.

The family restaurant will be closed on Tuesday as Louis or Lou Lou as loved ones called him, is laid to rest.