Suspect Sought In Alex Smith's Slaying On Long Island: Police

YAPHANK, NY — A Mastic Beach man has been named a suspect in the fatal shooting of Alex Smith, the younger brother of former WBO champ, Joseph Smith Jr., last weekend, Suffolk police said.

Joseph Scalafani, 32, shot Smith, a father of four, in the parking lot outside of Linsa Torr's Place on Neighborhood Road in Mastic Beach last Saturday at around 2 a.m., according to police.

Police initially said Smith was shot dead in a confrontation but detectives did not release further details.

A mugshot of Scalafani was released on Friday to aid police in their investigation, along with a reminder that operators of the Crime Stoppers line are taking tips on his whereabouts.

Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for tips that aid in arrests in criminal cases.

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Scalafani, who has been known to frequent Mastic, Mastic Beach, and Shirley, police said.

On Friday, Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison told News 12 was with Scalafani's ex-girlfriend at the time of the shooting.

"They actually have two children in common, so this looks like this might have been a crime of hate and jealousy because it seems like it was old baby father shooting new boyfriend in a really disturbing, concerning crime," Harrison told the outlet.

The gun used in the shooting has not been located, and investigators consider Scalafani armed and dangerous, according to the outlet.

A Suffolk Sheriff’s office spokeswoman said Scalafani was charged with criminal contempt and second-degree menacing on May 16.

The details of that arrest were not available from the police.

His bail information could not be immediately verified.

The office of District Attorney Ray Tierney, which comments post-arraignment could not be reached for comment.

The defense attorney of record on that case could not be reached for comment.

Smith's family has been left devastated, his stepmother, Tracy Smith, said after the shooting.

Smith, who worked for his family's tree service, leaves behind four children ranging from 9 months to 9 years old.

He has eight siblings, including Smith Jr., whose nickname is “The Irish Bomber,” a WBO light heavyweight.

“When you encountered Alex, he was always shining the room up, and to be gunned down like that is just crazy,” she said in a phone interview.

Anyone with information about the shooting can submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, a confidential police hotline, or using a mobile app, which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips.

Tips can also be submitted online at www.P3Tips.com.

All calls, text messages, and emails will be kept confidential.