BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Police Department put out a surveillance picture of a suspected killer in Hamilton, Ontario, on Thursday in hopes of finding out who he is.
That man is suspected of shooting to death Cece Luppino on January 30 at the home of his father, Rocco. The CBC reports Rocco Luppino was convicted of extortion in 1979, and his family is connected with crimes extending into Buffalo.
The suspect can be seen in surveillance video walking up the driveway and reaching into his jacket, possibly for a gun.
"This was a targeted event," said Detective Sergeant Peter Thom of the Hamilton Police Service, "one of the theories we are following is that Cece the murder of Cece Luppino was a message being sent to someone else."
Investigators tell us Cece, who had no criminal record was not directly involved in the mafia.
In fact, police say he was heard on a wiretap saying he didn't want to join the mob.
"We have no other information to suggest that he had any issues with anyone which would lead us to believe the main theory would be that someone was hired to kill him," Thom said.
Hamilton police say they believe there is a power struggle going on right now in that city and in Toronto, with multiple mob hits.
Buffalo Police and the U.S. Marshals Service say they're not involved in this investigation.
FBI was asked to share pictures of the suspect and couldn't confirm or deny any involvement.
If you have any information, call Hamilton, Ontario Police Detective Doug Jonovich at 905-546-4863.
