Theories for the hit took several forms. Initially, law enforcement officials believed that the hit had been ordered by one of the Five Families in New York City in an attempt to take over Philadelphia's organized crime operations.Anastasia, George. "Authories: Hit Was Ordered in N.Y." The Philadelphia Inquirer. November 1, 1989; "Scarfo Assault Theories." San Jose Mercury News. November 2, 1989. However, police later said they suspected Joey Merlino of being the gunman, with Nicky Scarfo Jr. seen as a proxy for his father—the message being that the elder Scarfo was no longer in control of the Philadelphia crime family.Caparella, Kitty and Smith, Jim. "Body of Evidence Against Mob Grows." Philadelphia Daily News. March 22, 2001.Caparella, Kitty. "Coming Soon: Mob's Secrets." Philadelphia Daily News. June 6, 2001.Anastasia, George. "Questions Abound After Scarfo Shooting." The Philadelphia Inquirer. November 5, 1989; McGuire, Jack and Heine, Kurt. "Scarfo Hit Was Anything But Smooth." Philadelphia Daily News. November 9, 1989; "What's In A Hit? Seeking Meaning in Young Scarfo's Misfortune." The Philadelphia Inquirer. November 10, 1989.Anastasia, George. "In Prison, Scarfo Jr. Fumes In Isolation." The Philadelphia Inquirer. May 15, 1994. Merlino has steadfastly denied any involvement. However, Tommy Scafidi would testify in 2001 that Merlino was the gunman and that Merlino's second-in-command Michael Ciancaglini drove the getaway car. Scafidi said he was asked to participate in the hit, but refused.Cipriano, Ralph. "Straight From the Horsehead's Mouth." Philadelphia Weekly. June 7, 2006. Accessed April 12, 2008.Rubinkam, Michael. "Mobster Testifies Against Merlino, Six Others." Associated Press. April 24, 2001. This was confirmed by testimony from former Philadelphia crime family boss Ralph Natale, who also turned state's evidence and said that Merlino told him about committing the crime while they served time together in 1990. At least one other mobster testifying on behalf of the government alleged that soldier Peter "Pete the Crumb" Caprio also knew of the hit and attempted to prevent it. Authorities also suspected Charles "Chaz" Iannece of the attempted murder because he delivered a controversial kiss on the cheek to Scarfo shortly before the gunman attacked."Chaz" Iannece is the son of jailed mob soldato Charles "Charlie White" Iannece. The younger Iannece is allegedly a hitman and extortionist, and deeply involved in the distribution of methamphetamine for the Scarfo crime family in the 1980s. See: DiFilippo, Dana. "Giant Meth Ring Busted." Philadelphia Daily News. September 20, 2008.
