MASTIC BEACH, N.Y. (1010 WINS) — A 34-year-old man was indicted for the shooting death of a man in the parking lot of a Long Island bar after his arrest in Florida last month, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney announced on Tuesday.
Joseph Scalafani was arraigned for murder, two counts of criminal possession of a weapon, four counts of criminal contempt, and one count of criminal contempt for fatally shooting 32-year-old Alex Smith, in Mastic Beach.
According to the investigation, at approximately 8:00 p.m. on May 13, Joseph Sclafani, in violation of a family court order of protection, approached his ex-girlfriend and demanded that she set up a meeting between him and Smith.
Sclafani then pulled out a black handgun from his pants pocket and threatened his ex-girlfriend by saying if she ran that he would hit her in the back.
A week later, at approximately 2:00 a.m., on May 20, Smith was inside Linsa Torr’s Place, a bar in Mastic Beach, with Joseph Scalafani’s ex-girlfriend.
As they both exited the bar, Scalafani allegedly ambushed them, and fired numerous shots at Smith, striking him multiple times in the back and torso.
When Smith was collapsed on the ground, Scalafani allegedly shot him twice in the head at close range, authorities said.
Scalafani then got in his vehicle and fled the scene, only to crash a short distance away and then flee on foot.
Smith was pronounced dead at the scene.
After the shooting, Scalafani allegedly fled New York with the help of his brother, Daniel Scalafani, and friend, Jeffrey Mercury, officials said.
Daniel Scalafani and Mercury each allegedly provided money to Joseph Scalafani to assist him in fleeing the state and lied to law enforcement when asked about his whereabouts.
Officials allege that Mercury then drove Joseph Scalafani down to Virginia and dropped him off to assist in his flight from apprehension.
On June 4, members of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office arrested Joseph Scalafani in Florida and was extradited back to Suffolk County on July 6.
He is due back in court of August 23.
On June 23, Daniel Scalafani was arraigned for hindering prosecution in the First Degree. He was ordered on supervised released with GPS monitoring during the pendency of the case and is due back in court on July 21.
On June 14, Mercury was arraigned for the charge of hindering prosecution and is required have GPS monitoring during the pendency of the case.
He is due back in court on July 19.
Joseph Scalafani’s brother Daniel Scalafani, 30, and Joseph Scalafani’s friend, Jeffrey Mercury, 61, were also indicted for assisting Joseph to flee New York State after the murder, officials said.
"This defendant allegedly shot Alex Smith multiple times at close range, killing him. Then, the defendant’s brother and friend allegedly helped him flee the state in an attempt to avoid being caught,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This defendant ran but could not hide. His eventual apprehension was only a matter of time."
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