Book Reading: Colombo: The Unsolved Murder

Join author Don Capria (pictured) for a reading from his 2015 book “Colombo: The Unsolved Murder,” which details the ironic life of mobster Joe Colombo who was gunned down during a Columbus Circle Italian American rally in 1971. Colombo formed peculiar alliances while galvanizing pride among many Italian Americans. He was slain by a gunman at the event, who in turn was promptly killed by Colombo’s bodyguards while in police custody. But motive and who actually ordered the hit remain unsolved.

Also a filmmaker, Capria wrote and directed the award-winning short films Eulogy (2014) and Anecdota (2021), and filmed the pilot for his scripted series Abaddon (2019), starring Erika Alexander. His debut feature film, the horror slasher Director’s Cut, was released theatrically on Halloween 2024 and is now streaming on AMC Shudder and additional platforms. Capria frequently appears at screenings, readings, and cultural events, where he discusses filmmaking, true crime, and Italian American history.