New photos and video show the gruesome aftermath of a 2018 hit on a reputed mafia associate who was gunned down in the drive-thru of a McDonald’s in the Bronx.
Federal prosecutors entered the images into evidence on Monday in Brooklyn federal court, where Anthony Zottola Sr, 41, is charged with hiring Bloods gang members to carry out the hit on his father, Sylvester ‘Sally Daz’ Zottola, 71.
Sylvester, a reputed Bonanno crime family associate, had just ordered a medium coffee at a McDonald’s drive-thru in when his SUV was pinned in by several vehicles and he was shot once in the head and five times in the torso.
Prosecutors say that Anthony paid Bloods gangsters $200,000 to carry out the hit on his dad, as well as make botched attempts on the life of his brother Salvatore, in order to take over the father’s $45 million real estate portfolio.
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New photos show the bloody aftermath of a 2018 hit on a reputed mafia associate who was gunned down in the drive-thru of a McDonald’s in the Bronx
Sylvester ‘Sally Daz’ Zottola, a reputed Bonanno crime family associate, was gunned down inside his Acura while picking up a coffee at McDonald’s in October 2018
Crime scene photos show the aftermath of the hit on Sally Daz, which prosecutors say was masterminded by his own son
A bullet casing recovered at the scene of the shooting is seen in this evidence photo
Anthony Zottola Sr (left) is charged with paying reputed Bloods leader Bushawn ‘Shelz’ Shelton (right) $200,000 to orchestrate the October 2018 hit on his father Sylvester Zottola
One surveillance video shared by prosecutors shows Sylvester’s maroon Acura rolling forward slowly in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, before crashing into the wall of the McDonald’s.
Sylvester ‘Sally Daz’ Zottola was gunned down in October 2018
Several individuals then run up to the driver’s side window and peer in before running away.
Within two minutes, police who appear to be NYC park enforcement officers respond to the scene, which is across the street from the Bronx’s Claremont Park.
The cops are seen checking Sylvester for signs of life and making radio calls for backup, but the aging mobster was beyond saving.
Other chilling images show the blood-stained interior of Sylvester’s Acura, and a shell casing found on the ground at the scene of the shooting.
In the initial aftermath of the shooting, NYPD investigators explored the possibility that Albanian gangsters had carried out the murder in a bid to take control of the Zottolas’ ‘Joke Poker’ video gambling dens in the city’s bars.
But in June 2019, prosecutors unsealed an indictment charging Anthony with hiring Bloods leader Bushawn ‘Shelz’ Shelton to carry out the contact murder.
The shooting took place in broad daylight on October 4, 2018 at this McDonald’s on Webster Avenue and Belmont Street in the Bronx
Within two minutes of the shooting, police who appear to be NYC park enforcement officers respond to the scene, which is across the street from the Bronx’s Claremont Park
Evidence photos show Sylvester’s Acura crashed in the drive-thru lane after the fata shooting
Five bullet holes are seen in the passenger side window of Sylvester’s Acura
Evidence markers are seen next to the bullet-riddled car following the shooting
An evidence photo used in the case shows a possible suspect vehicle involved in the shooting
An unfired bullet is seen in the center console of the alleged suspect vehicle
In coded text messages with Shelton, Anthony allegedly referred to the planned murder as ‘the filming’ and the ‘final scene’ – with his father as ‘the actor’ and the hit man as ‘the director.’
The indictment alleges that Anthony paid of Shelton with $200,000 in cash hidden a box full of water bottles, texting him three days after the murder: ‘Did you drink the water. Was it the right one.’
Shelton allegedly responded: ‘Definitely was the right one thanks I was able to water the plants and get some of them squared away.’
Prosecutors allege that Shelton in subcontracted other Bloods members to carry out the October 2018 murder, as well as a failed attempt on the life of Sylvester’s other son Salvatore in July 2018.
Sylvester and Salvatore actually survived multiple bungling assassination attempts that were allegedly part of the plot, before Sylvester was finally murdered.
Last week, confessed Bloods hitman Ron Cabey, 32, testified about his six failed attempts to murder the father and son.
Three defendants in the case are seen seated left to right: Himen Ross, Alfred Lopez, and Anthony Zotolla Sr as cooperating witness Ron Cabey describes his bungling attempts to kill Sylvester and Salvatore last week
An evidence photo shows the possible murder weapon in the case
Investigators recovered disguises that may have been used in the murder, including a wig
Prosecutors say that another Bloods gunman, Himan ‘Ace’ Ross, pulled the trigger in the eventual attack that succeeded in killing Sylvester.
Salvatore, who survived being shot in front of his home in July 2018, has also testified at the trial.
In his testimony, the older brother recounted the shootings he and his father experienced.
He also testified that his father had a sprawling real estate empire that drew in more than $1 million per year in rental income.
In her opening statements, Assistant US Attorney Devon Lash told jurors that Sylvester, who paid dues to the infamous Lucchese and Bonanno mob families, had spent years dodging attempts at his life by goons who stabbed him and beat him.
Lash said Sylvester was able to survive each would-be assassin until the 2018 shooting, which she said was masterminded by Anthony to seize his father’s assets.
‘The defendant wanted that control,’ Lash said.
Salvatore, Sylvester’s eldest son, also recounted the attempt on his own life, which saw him shot several times just moths before his father’s murder. Pictured: A courtroom sketch of Salvatore describing the gunshot wound he suffered on his head
Pictured: Salvatore (left) pictured walking towards his brother’s indictment in 2019.
Along with his real estate empire, prosecutors said Sylvester ran an illegal poker video machine operation.
Anthony has been charged with murder-for-hire conspiracy, causing death through the use of a firearm and unlawful use and possession of firearms.
Himen Ross, the man accused of carrying out the hit for Shelton and his alleged get-a-way driver, Alfred ‘Aloe’ Lopez, are also on trial over the murder.
In their opening statements, the attorney’s for each of the defendants slammed the prosecution’s case against their clients, saying it was filled with holes and that the trio could not be convicted.
‘Not guilty,’ John Burke, who is defending Lopez, told the jury.
The defense attorneys also said that the witnesses the prosecution will call forth are not credible and are members of a violent street gang that would lie for plea deals.