Joe Manzello rose to prominence following the murder of both Sam and Tony Gianolla in 1919. At the tender age of 20, Manzello decided to try his hand attempting to force himself upon older more experienced members of the Detroit underworld. This attempt as expected was met with resistance and a plan to remove the troublesome upstart was hatched by members of the Renda/Mirabile family which was the last remaining resistance to the Gianolla gangs remaining members. On the mourning of August 10, 1920 Joe Manzello stood curbside chatting with Angelo's Meli and Polizzi in front of Larned Street east.
The 20 year old Polizzi shared a room with Manzello at 121 St, Aubin Avenue in Detroit while Meli, known to authorities as a former Gianolla gunman reisded at 206 Orleans Street. As the 3 men engaged in amicable conversation a large touring car sped past enleashing a barrage of bullets eight of which struck Manzello in the back and another seven finding the mark with Polizzi, Angelo Meli escaped unarmed leading to speculation that he may been used as a decoy for the shooters. Both Manzello and his roomate were taken to Detroit's Receiving Hospital where doctors announced they did not expect either to recover from their wounds. After two days of intense treatment Manzello had improved to the point where he was able to make a public statement concerning the attack stating "I saw them but_," followed by a wave of the hand indicating that he would deal with the problem himself. Joe Manzello never fully recovered from his wounds and faded from public view shortly after the shooting.
