A quiet dinner for a group of British holidaymakers turned into a nightmare when masked gunmen stormed the restaurant and shot an 'innocent' waiter.
Angelo Pizzi, affectionately known as Lino, was killed in a hail of gunfire while carrying out his duties.
The 62-year-old victim, a head waiter with no criminal record, died at the scene.
Investigators believe his death was a case of mistaken identity.
The shooting took place at the Spaghetteria n.1 restaurant in Bisceglie in southern Italy last night.
According to reports, two hooded gunmen burst into the restaurant during dinner service and opened fire, discharging around 15 shots in a rapid attack that caused panic among diners.
Investigators suspect the intended target was the restaurant owner, a man with previous convictions who was present at the time.
Pizzi, described locally as a hardworking and decent family man, simply found himself in the line of fire, according to the authorities.
Customers, including a group of British tourists, witnessed the horrifying ambush unfold in front of them.
Angelo Pizzi, affectionately known as Lino, was killed in a hail of gunfire while carrying out his duties
The 62-year-old victim, a head waiter with no criminal record, died at the scene. Investigators believe his death was a case of mistaken identity
Bisceglie Mayor Angelantonio Angarano called for unity and justice following the tragedy, stating that the community must stand 'with heads held high and without fear'
Forensic teams examined the scene late into the night.
Interior security cameras are being reviewed as part of the evidence gathering.
Officials are treating the killing as a targeted mafioso-style ambush.
The Direzione Distrettuale Antimafia (DDA), a judicial body specialised in investigating mafia-style organised crime, is leading the investigation.
The gunmen fled immediately after the shooting and no arrests have been made yet.
Bisceglie Mayor Angelantonio Angarano called for unity and justice following the tragedy, stating that the community must stand 'with heads held high and without fear'.
Witness statements have been collected from those present, although the exact number of customers at the time remains unclear.
Local media said the victim had a clean record and no involvement in criminal circles, reinforcing the theory of mistaken identity.
Prosecutors have not ruled out a possible connection to another recent murder in Bisceglie.
Filippo Scavo, 42, linked to the Strisciuglio clan, was shot dead at the Divine Club on 19 April.
As inquiries continue, authorities are examining potential links between the two violent episodes in less than two weeks.
No arrests have been made, and Italian authorities are currently reviewing CCTV footage and interviewing witnesses, including several shaken British nationals who were dining nearby.
The restaurant remains closed while investigations proceed.