Assassination of Paul Castellano outside Sparks Steak House

On December 16, 1985, Gambino family boss Paul Castellano and his underboss Thomas Bilotti were gunned down outside Sparks Steak House after leaving a meeting, in a hit widely attributed to John Gotti's faction. The killings occurred at the restaurant's entrance on East 46th Street and marked a dramatic change in New York mafia leadership. John Gotti was later indicted and convicted in part for his role in the murder and related racketeering.