Mobster’s niece, 19, shot dead at beach club in Italy amid bloody mafia feud between ruling crime families

A MOBSTER’S niece was shot dead in a nightclub as part of a suspected mafia war.

Antonia Lopez, 19, was killed as scores were being settled between gangs believed to be involved in drug trafficking and extortion.

Antonia Lopez, 19, was shot to death in a nightclub

On Monday, Michele Lavopa, a 21-year-old suspect, was arrested by Italian police and remanded in custody after the Molfetta, Puglia, hit.

Her family is thought to have a long connection with the mafia with many being members of the Strisciuglio clan, the Telegraph reports.

Her father is also serving a life sentence in prison for murder and grievous bodily harm.

His grandfather is understood to be the long-time boss of the group.

The Strisciuglio clan, made up of Ivan and Francesco Lopez, were reportedly at war with the rival Parisi-Palermiti clan.

Four other people in their 20s were injured in the shooting.

One of those injured was Eugenio Palermiti, an alleged member of the Palermiti clan.

Authorities now fear this to ignite a gang war and a specialist anti-mafia unit is now investigating the killing.

Puglia’s governor Michele Emiliano said: “This is the umpteenth clash between criminal gangs who are fighting to control nightclubs and drug dealing.”

Michele Picaro, an MEP from the region, said: “We’ve reached the point where people’s safety is being put seriously at risk, even in places of entertainment and leisure.

“Our cities must not fall into the hands of criminal bands.”

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