Crime boss killed in front of home

Frank Cali, the reputed boss of the Gambino crime family whose deep ties to the Sicilian Mafia made him a figure of influence and power in both New York and Italy, was fatally shot outside his home in Staten Island, New York, on Wednesday night, police told The Washington Post.

At about 9: 15 p. m. Wednesday, Cali, 53, was in front of his red-brick colonial style home in the Todt Hill neighborhood when he was approached by a blue pickup truck. Known as “Franky Boy,” the alleged Gambino boss was reportedly shot six times in the chest. Police said a gunman sped off in the truck.

In a statement to the Post, an official with the New York Police Department’s 122nd Precinct, which covers Staten Island, said authorities responded to a 911 call of an assault involving Cali at 9:17 p.m. The address given on Hilltop Terrace near Four Corners Road, located by the Richmond County Country Club, matched Cali’s address, according to public records.

“Upon arrival, officers found a 53-year- old male with multiple gunshot wounds to the torso,” police said to the Post. “EMS also responded to the scene and transported the victim to Staten Island University North, where he was pro- nounced deceased.”

NYPD officials held a news briefing Thursday afternoon but cautioned that the investigation was in “preliminary” stages; they did not identify a motive or a suspect.

“Certainly Mr. Cali’s prior dealings — he has been arrested prior by the feds — are a focal point at this point of the investigation but nothing is being ruled out,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Dermot Shea said.

Shea said that “Francisco, otherwise known as Frank Cali, exits his residence ... has a conversation with an individual where approximately 12 shots are fired with at least six striking the victim causing a demise.”