Longtime Albuquerque pizzeria owner Rosario Zito was murdered by a felon with a mile-long criminal history two days ago. Zito was legally carrying a concealed handgun.
Police said Zito was shot in the face by an armed robber — 27-year-old Sylvan Alcachupas, who has been charged with murder.
Court documents show Zito was with two of his employees closing up shop when a masked man approached them, saying, “Everybody drop your stuff on the ground.”
One witness said the man grew frustrated because he wasn’t taken seriously.
Then witnesses said the situation escalated when the man pulled out a handgun, fired a warning shot, and said, “I’m (expletive deleted) serious, empty your (expletive deleted) on the ground.”
According to the criminal complaint, the employees threw down their tip money, but Zito was undeterred. The masked man with the gun allegedly asked him, “Do you want to play?”
Zito reportedly said, “Yeah, let’s play.” The masked man fired, and Zito — who was carrying a concealed gun — also fired a shot. Zito was shot twice in the chest and once in the cheek.
Police said Alcachupas was that masked man, and he was caught on surveillance camera. Police caught up to Alcachupas, who was spotted in the area of California and Anderson nearby.
In an interview with homicide detectives, Alcachupas denied his involvement.
Owner of Giovanni's Pizzeria shot, killed during robbery - KOB.com
Police said Zito was shot in the face by an armed robber — 27-year-old Sylvan Alcachupas, who has been charged with murder.
Court documents show Zito was with two of his employees closing up shop when a masked man approached them, saying, “Everybody drop your stuff on the ground.”
One witness said the man grew frustrated because he wasn’t taken seriously.
Then witnesses said the situation escalated when the man pulled out a handgun, fired a warning shot, and said, “I’m (expletive deleted) serious, empty your (expletive deleted) on the ground.”
According to the criminal complaint, the employees threw down their tip money, but Zito was undeterred. The masked man with the gun allegedly asked him, “Do you want to play?”
Zito reportedly said, “Yeah, let’s play.” The masked man fired, and Zito — who was carrying a concealed gun — also fired a shot. Zito was shot twice in the chest and once in the cheek.
Police said Alcachupas was that masked man, and he was caught on surveillance camera. Police caught up to Alcachupas, who was spotted in the area of California and Anderson nearby.
In an interview with homicide detectives, Alcachupas denied his involvement.
Owner of Giovanni's Pizzeria shot, killed during robbery - KOB.com
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