Execution-style death of dad at Rochedale baffles police

POLICE are baffled by the chilling execution of a father in front of his daughter in the family's living room and are still working to find a lead.

POLICE are baffled by the chilling execution of a father in front of his daughter in the family's living room on Wednesday and after more than a day on the case are still working to find a lead.

Rochedale South father-of-two and pensioner John Lazzaro, 56, was shot multiple times in the stomach by masked intruders who stormed through the backdoor of his Priestdale Rd home while firing a gun at 11pm.

When his dog, a staffy mastiff cross called Kilo, stepped in to protect its owner, the gun was turned on the beloved pet.

Mr Lazzaro's 19-year-old daughter, Casey, watched on as the two men fled their home just as quickly as they'd arrived.

Police said the killers made no requests or demands.

Ms Lazzaro called an ambulance for her father but it was too late. They were unable to revive him.

Neighbours yesterday said Mr Lazzaro, a pensioner, was a friendly man who had lived in the two-storey brick home he had owned for more than 20 years.

Marjorie Richardson said Mr Lazzaro was a good neighbour.

"He would bring my bin in from the street from time to time and I'd do the same for him,'' she said.

"He was a lovely man and we always got along well. It's very upsetting.''

Ms Richardson said she heard Mr Lazzaro's dog barking but didn't hear gun shots, rather a "tinny'' sound coming from the house on Wednesday night.

Other neighbours reported hearing a woman scream. Another said she'd heard what sounded like a "pellet gun'' being fired.

Police from Logan's Criminal Investigation Branch and the State Crime Operations Command's homicide unit yesterday launched a major investigation into Mr Lazzaro's death, codenamed Operation Kilo Cardiff.

Inspector Chris Jory said detectives door-knocked the neighbourhood yesterday as well as interviewed family and friends.

Insp Jory said police were at a loss as to why Mr Lazzaro had been targeted in such a brutal manner.

"From an investigator's point of view this will be a protracted investigation,'' he said.

Forensic police removed a number of mobile phones among other evidence during their scene examination.

It is understood Mr Lazzaro operated a tattoo parlour from his home for several years before his death.

Although he has a criminal history, police said his death did not appear to be connected to an outlaw motorcycle gang.

Mr Lazzaro had been unwell in the past but it is understood his health had improved recently.

A contractor arrived at the property yesterday morning to repair Mr Lazzaro's front fence after what he described as a "ram-raid'' three weeks earlier but police said there had been no official report of any prior incidents.

Kilo, Mr Lazzaro's pet dog, survived emergency surgery at a vet clinic yesterday.