The Suffolk County District Attorney announced Tuesday, July 11 that Joseph Scalafani, 34, of Mustique Beach was charged with shooting and killing another Mustique Beach resident, Alex Scalafani, 32. Smith (Alex Smith), then fled the state.
The investigation revealed that Scalafani first approached his ex-girlfriend in violation of the restraining order on May 13, 2023, asking her to arrange a meeting between him and Smith.
He even pulled out a black pistol and pointed it at the woman, threatening to shoot her in the back if she ran away, the district attorney’s office said.
A week later, on May 20, Scarafani’s ex-girlfriend and Smith were at Linsa Torr’s Place, a frankincense beach dive bar.
Scarafani allegedly ambushed the pair in the parking lot as they were leaving the bar around 2 a.m.
He fired and hit Smith in the back and torso multiple times.
Then, after Smith fell to the ground, the district attorney’s office reported that Scarafani shot Smith twice more in the head at close range.
Smith was pronounced dead at the scene.
Scarafani initially fled the scene in a car, but walked away after the crash.
Scalafani’s brother Daniel Scalafani, 30, and friend Jeffrey Mercury, 61, paid him money and lied about his location to police, the investigation said. Help him escape New York State.
Mercury is also accused of driving Scalafani to Virginia to help him escape.
Scarafani was found in Florida on Sunday, June 4, arrested and extradited to Suffolk County.
“This defendant fled but could not hide,” Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney said in a statement, which called the incident an “executive murder.”
“It was only a matter of time before he was eventually arrested.”
At arraignment, he was charged with the following:
- Second degree murder (felony);
- Criminal possession of a weapon, two counts (both felonies);
- First degree contempt of court, four counts (all felonies); and
- Second degree contempt of court (misdemeanor).
He will appear in court again on Wednesday, August 23.
Both Daniel Scalafani and Mercury were charged with obstruction of prosecution, which are felony charges.
They are all due to appear in court again in late July.
Click here
Follow the Nassau Daily Voice and receive free news updates.
