Power
Gang Boss Slain in Coney Island Restaurant, Police Baffled
April 16, 1931
Detectives are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the slaying of Giuseppe Masseria, better known as "Joe the Boss," in a Coney Island Restaurant called Nuova Villa Tammaro yesterday afternoon. Masseria and two other presumed associates were shot multiple times each.
Eyewitnesses eating in the restaurant at the time reported that three young men quickly walked in, began shooting, and left just as quickly. Soon after the shooting, police were able to recover two pistols in an alley next to the restaurant, as well as the hats and coats of all three gunmen.
An autopsy has shown that Masseria was shot three times in the back, once in the neck, and once in the eye. The first shots were most likely in his back, and the subsequent shots hit him as he turned to face the gunmen.
James Masseria, 21-year-old son of the victim, and Carmine Nicarus, brother-in-law, were questioned. They revealed Giuseppe Masseria's alleged rackets in horseracing and gambling and also his connection to "Little Augie Pisano," successor to Frankie Yale.
Unfortunately, detectives are currently baffled as to the cause of the shooting and the identity of the gunmen. Initial investigations on the recovered guns and garments have been fruitless. Some reports hinted that the gunmen were actually hired and imported from Chicago to assassinate Masseria, but police have pointed out that the hats and coats had all been sold in Brooklyn stores.
Fingerprints were nowhere to be found in the armored car owned by Masseria nor in the car found on the night of the murder on West First Street.
While detectives have been unable to make progress on this case, the violence continues in gang-related murders, and reprisal is expected in response to the murder of Masseria.
April 16, 1931
Detectives are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the slaying of Giuseppe Masseria, better known as "Joe the Boss," in a Coney Island Restaurant called Nuova Villa Tammaro yesterday afternoon. Masseria and two other presumed associates were shot multiple times each.
Eyewitnesses eating in the restaurant at the time reported that three young men quickly walked in, began shooting, and left just as quickly. Soon after the shooting, police were able to recover two pistols in an alley next to the restaurant, as well as the hats and coats of all three gunmen.
An autopsy has shown that Masseria was shot three times in the back, once in the neck, and once in the eye. The first shots were most likely in his back, and the subsequent shots hit him as he turned to face the gunmen.
James Masseria, 21-year-old son of the victim, and Carmine Nicarus, brother-in-law, were questioned. They revealed Giuseppe Masseria's alleged rackets in horseracing and gambling and also his connection to "Little Augie Pisano," successor to Frankie Yale.
Unfortunately, detectives are currently baffled as to the cause of the shooting and the identity of the gunmen. Initial investigations on the recovered guns and garments have been fruitless. Some reports hinted that the gunmen were actually hired and imported from Chicago to assassinate Masseria, but police have pointed out that the hats and coats had all been sold in Brooklyn stores.
Fingerprints were nowhere to be found in the armored car owned by Masseria nor in the car found on the night of the murder on West First Street.
While detectives have been unable to make progress on this case, the violence continues in gang-related murders, and reprisal is expected in response to the murder of Masseria.
Luciano's Hit ListOver 30 through Lucchese
Over 15 through Murder, Inc. (a group of hitmen led by Albert Anastasia) High Profile Names: Giuseppe Masseria - dead Salvatore Maranzano - dead Bugsy Siegel - dead Thomas E. Dewey, U.S. Attorney - Too dangerous and high profile to kill |