Police seek suspect in fatal shooting in Mastic Beach
Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney K. Harrison holds a mugshot of Joseph Scalafani during a press conference at the Suffolk Police Marine Bureau in Great River on Friday, May 26, 2023. Scalafani, of Mastic Beach, is wanted in connection with the murder of Alex Smith on May 20th. Credit: Barry Sloan
Police are searching for a man who they said shot a Mastic man to death during an argument last week in Mastic Beach.
Suffolk County police identified the suspect as Joseph Scalafani, 32, of Mastic Beach, and said he shot the victim, identified as Alex Smith, 30, to death during an altercation in a parking lot on Neighborhood Road at about 2 a.m. on May 20. Police said Scalafani was identified as the shooter "following an investigation" — but did not immediately provide details.
The victim's family previously declined to comment.
Police said Scalafani is "known to frequent" Mastic, Mastic Beach and Shirley.
Detectives are asking anyone with information on the shooting to contact the Homicide Squad at 631-852-6392 or call Crime Stoppers at 800-220-8477. Tipsters can also submit tips using a mobile app downloaded through the App Store or via Google Play by searching P3 Tips — or can submit tips online at www.P3Tips.com. All calls, texts and emails will remain confidential.
John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”
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