Bobby Bacala was a beloved character on the hit HBO series The Sopranos. He was a made man in the DiMeo crime family and a loyal friend to Tony Soprano. In the final season of The Sopranos, Bobby was shockingly murdered, leaving fans heartbroken and searching for answers as to who was responsible. In this article, we will examine the details surrounding Bobby’s death and analyze the potential suspects and motivations behind this tragic hit.
About Bobby Bacala
Robert “Bobby Bacala” Baccalieri Jr. was portrayed brilliantly by actor Steve Schirripa. Introduced in the second season, Bobby was a soft-spoken, gentle giant who provided some comic relief in the often dark and violent world of the mafia. Some key facts about Bobby:
Early Life
– Born in the Bronx in 1957. His father was Bobby Baccalieri Sr., a made man in the DiMeo crime family.
– Spent time as a youth in and out of juvenile detention and struggled in school.
– Married to Karen Baccalieri and had two children, Bobby III and Sophia. Karen died in a car accident, leaving Bobby a single father.
Criminal Career
– Starting out as a mob associate, he became a made man in the late 1990s.
– Rose to the rank of capo after his brother-in-law, Richie Aprile, disappeared.
– Ran protection rackets and engaged in loan sharking, illegal gambling, and extortion.
– Served time in prison on a gun charge.
– After getting out, operated Jilly Ruffalo’s sports book.
Personality and Traits
– Despite being a gangster, Bobby was polite, humble, and big-hearted. He was devoted to his family.
– Had various hobby interests like model trains and remote control cars. Enjoyed watching war and history documentaries.
– Displayed empathy and sensitivity unusual for a mobster. Cared for his sick father and didn’t like violence.
– Suffered from panic attacks and emotional issues due to traumatic experiences.
– Tony Soprano valued Bobby’s loyalty and dependability. The two became very close after Bobby married Tony’s sister Janice.
Bobby’s Murder
In the second part of the sixth season, Bobby’s life came to an abrupt end. In the episode “Blue Comet”, Bobby is lured by Tony to a model train store in the mall and viciously gunned down by two hitmen. He sustains multiple gunshot wounds and dies on the spot. His death sends shockwaves through the DiMeo family.
The Hit Goes Down
On the day of his death, Bobby joined Tony on a trip to purchase a new model train. While Bobby was distracted looking at the merchandise, the hitmen entered disguised as customers. Tony immediately flees out the back, abandoning Bobby. The assassins open fire on Bobby at close range. He attempts to draw his own gun but is quickly overwhelmed, sustaining fatal shots to the head and body. He collapses to the floor in a pool of blood. The shooters calmly exit the store, leaving the scene.
Aftermath
Bobby’s murder was instantly labeled an organized mob hit. It signified the start of an all-out war between the DiMeo family and the Lupertazzi crime family of New York. Tony and what remained of his crew went into hiding after Bobby’s death, bracing for further violence.
Janice was now a widow, left to raise her daughter Sophia alone. Janice fell into a deep depression over losing her husband. At Bobby’s funeral, his children were devastated, with his son Bobby III emotionally breaking down and swearing revenge.
Why Was Bobby Bacala Killed?
Bobby’s slaying took place amid rising tensions between Tony’s crew and the New York family headed by Phil Leotardo. But what specifically provoked the hit on Bobby?
Theory 1: Retaliation for Tony’s Earlier Hits
One likely motive was that it served as retaliation by Phil Leotardo and the Lupertazzis for violence against their members ordered by Tony Soprano. Tony had recently authorized hits on two high-ranking Lupertazzi members without permission – killing Phil’s cousin Tony Blundetto as well as his close friend Vito Spatafore.
Killing Bobby may have been Phil’s revenge, striking back at Tony by having his brother-in-law murdered. This was personal payback against the DiMeo family for Tony’s rogue actions.
Theory 2: A Power Play in the War for Control
Another perspective is that Bobby’s murder was a strategic power play by Leotardo to weaken DiMeo leadership and gain leverage in the brewing mob war.
Taking out Bobby destabilized Tony’s crew by removing a trusted capo. It made Tony more vulnerable and fueled paranoia within his ranks. For Phil, it put him in a greater position of strength in their fight for control over the lucrative New Jersey rackets.
Who Pulled the Trigger on the Bobby Hit?
While Phil Leotardo likely ordered Bobby’s murder, he wasn’t one of the assassins who carried it out on the ground. Who were the shooters that conducted the brutal slaying?
Suspect Profile 1: Members of the Lupertazzi Family
The gunmen were most likely soldiers in the Lupertazzi crime family following Phil’s directives. Wiseguys under Phil’s command had motivation to avenge deaths of their associates. Known violent criminals in Phil’s crew include:
– Patsy Parisi – A capo with a long rap sheet and history of theft, arson, and assault. Skilled hitman loyal to Phil.
– Coco Cogliano – A soldier who served time for racketeering and manslaughter. Willing to kill on Phil’s orders.
– Terry Doria – A family associate who acted as an enforcer for Phil Leotardo. Link to numerous murders.
Any of these men could have been the shooters carrying out Phil’s revenge hit on his nemesis’ brother-in-law.
Suspect Profile 2: Members of a Rival NYC Family
Another possibility is that mobsters from a rival New York family outside the Lupertazzis coordinated the attack. Perhaps as part of an alliance with Phil to take down the DiMeos. Potential hitmen from these groups include:
– Joe Squillante Jr. – Son of the late Gambino family boss. His father had beef with Tony and the NJ mob.
– Victor Zollo – Feared soldier in the Genovese family. Willing to freelance as hired muscle.
– Aldo Monza – Associate of the Bonanno family linked to numerous murders. Could have contracted the Bobby hit.
Rival NYC clans working with Phil can’t be ruled out as the gunmen who took down Bobby Bacala.
Why Was the Model Train Store Chosen?
The locale where Bobby was killed – a model train store – seems an odd place for a mob hit. Why did the assassins choose this location to strike?
Tony Lured Bobby There
Tony Soprano manipulated Bobby into coming there by pretending he wanted to look at model trains. This provided the perfect opportunity for the shooters to ambush Bobby in a public place he felt comfortable in with his guard down.
Isolated Bobby as a Target
The train store allowed the assassins to isolate Bobby away from his crew. In this controlled setting, they could confirm his identity and take him out quickly without witnesses or backup intervening.
Symbolism of Bobby’s Hobby
Murdering Bobby surrounded by model trains he loved carried symbolic weight, making the insult even more devastating. It twisted a source of joy for Bobby into the scene of his execution.
Public Location Minimized Risk
A crowded mall provided cover for the killers. With many civilians present, it was easier for the gunmen to blend in and escape than at a mob hangout. There was less chance of recognized shooters or surveillance footage tracing back to them.
Loose Ends: Was the Bobby Hit Connected to…
Beyond the core factors behind Bobby’s death, some loose ends and open questions remain.
The Jelly Bean Motif
– Bobby’s daughter Sophia suspiciously mentioned jelly beans right before the murder when he spoke to her on the phone. Was this code signaling something? If so, what?
Agent Harris
– FBI Agent Harris tipped Tony that a hit was coming but had limited information. Was he directly involved in the hit or protecting an informant?
The War with New York
– Did more figures like Gerry Torciano influence the Bobby hit as part of the DiMeo/Lupertazzi war? Were there other targets planned?
The Wrong Store?
– Some argue the gunmen attacked the wrong train store by accident. Was the murder actually botched in some way?
Conclusion
In the end, Bobby Bacala was killed for being a prominent member of Tony Soprano’s inner circle. His murder was largely driven by revenge and the cutthroat power dynamics of the mafia underworld. While the full truth may never come out, examining the potential suspects, motivations, and scenarios behind his death gives us deeper perspective on this pivotal crime story. The hit on Bobby will forever be remembered for its shocking brutality and as the opening salvo in a bloody mob conflict.
| Suspect | Motive | Means | Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patsy Parisi | Loyal to Phil Leotardo, wanted revenge for deaths | Skilled hitman | Access and ability to carry out the murder per Phil’s orders |
| Coco Cogliano | Follower of Phil Leotardo, willing to kill for him | Experienced criminal and enforcer | Could have been assigned the Bobby hit by Phil Leotardo |
| Joe Squillante Jr. | Bad blood with the DiMeo family, alliance with Lupertazzis | Mob connections and resources | Opportunity to coordinate with Phil on revenge plot |