Mob wars

Mafia don Frank Cali's killing is a reminder that the mob is alive. Just not as flashy

This week's killing of Gambino family boss Frank Cali brought back memories of mobsters getting whacked in brazen hits that stunned the nation decades ago. Cali was gunned down outside his home in New York, leading to initial speculation on whether the killing was related to a Mafia feud.

The last time a Mafia boss was assassinated in the city was 34 years ago, when former Gambino don Paul Castellano was shot dead as he arrived at a popular steakhouse in midtown Manhattan, a hit ordered by the so-called "Dapper Don" himself, John J. Gotti.

CNN legal analyst James Gagliano said Cali's killing reminded him of his work with the FBI's Gambino crime squad in New York City in the 1990s.

"Scenes like this were somewhat commonplace during the mob wars," he tweeted. "Guarantee this does not go unanswered. Hoping this isn't the opening salvo, ushering in a new era of mob violence."

Mob wars

Frank Cali, reputed Gambino crime family boss, fatally shot outside Staten Island home: reports

Francesco “Franky Boy” Cali, the 53-year-old reputed Gambino crime family boss, was reportedly shot dead Wednesday night outside his home in the New York City borough of Staten Island, making him the highest-ranking suspected mob figure to be killed in the city in years.

Cali was shot several times in the torso in the Todt Hill section of Staten Island around 9:20 p.m., the New York Post reported. He was rushed to Staten Island University Hospital North, where he was pronounced dead.

It was unclear how many times Cali was shot, but a witness who called 911 reported hearing at least six gunshots, police sources told the paper.

A neighbor of Cali's told the New York Times that he heard a burst of about seven gunshots just after 9 p.m.

“I just heard the pow-pow-pow-pow-pow,” said the 58-year-old, who identified himself to the paper as Salvatore.