On the evening of August 30, 2022, 57-year-old Rosario Zito, owner of Giovanni’s Pizzeria at 921 San Pedro Drive SE in southeast Albuquerque, was shot and killed in the restaurant’s parking lot shortly after 9:20 p.m. Zito and employees had gathered outside after closing when a man in dark clothing approached, brandished a small black handgun and demanded employees empty their pockets. According to witnesses the man fired a warning shot and then confronted Zito, who drew his own handgun; an exchange of gunfire followed and Zito was seen falling to the ground. He was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Police located a man a few blocks away matching the description; he was identified as 27-year-old Sylvan Alcachupas, who was detained after allegedly handing an object to a woman who fled. Alcachupas, a convicted felon on probation for a prior robbery, was charged with open-count murder, robbery with a deadly weapon and tampering with evidence; additional charges were later filed. Friends, family and patrons left flowers and candles at a memorial outside the pizzeria remembering Zito as a kind, compassionate cornerstone of the neighborhood.

If anyone knew Rosario or saw the events outside Giovanni’s that night, can you share what you remember?