Vito Dambrosio charged with murder charges for allegedly stabbing parents at A & A Italian Deli & Pizza in Plainedge

The man accused of fatally stabbing his parents at the Plainedge deli the family operated for decades has been charged with first-degree murder and is scheduled to be arraigned at Nassau University Medical Center later today, Nassau police said on Friday.

Vito Dambrosio, 30, was waiting for officers in the parking lot of A & A Italian Deli and Pizza on Hicksville Road on Thursday morning, Nassau Det. Lt. George Darienzo said at a news conference in Mineola.

"He had blood on his hands and blood on his clothing," said Darienzo, of the department’s Homicide Squad.

Responding officers found Dambrosio’s mother, Angela Pulisciano, behind the deli counter with a stab wound to the throat. The 62-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said. Dambrosio’s father, Antonio Dambrosio, was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The deli is across the street from John H. West Elementary School, where a crossing guard led students across the street and past yellow police tape on Thursday while homicide detectives and crime scene unit personnel gathered evidence.

A Massapequa resident who described himself as a loyal customer said Dambrosio told him "I stabbed my parents" before nonchalantly walking out. 

I've been coming here for 30 years, and this is the worst thing in my lifetime and I'm 97 years old," Joe Boros said.

Dambrosio, of Seaford, was also hospitalized, and Nassau police said he was awaiting arraignment on a charge of first-degree murder — multiple victims.

Police said the stabbing of the parents was provoked by an estrangement from his family after an altercation with a sibling last month.

Shortly before arriving at the deli on Thursday morning, police said, Dambrosio went to a coffee shop and slapped the butt of a woman working there.

He then went to his family’s deli, where police said he had an argument with his parents in a back room.

"At some point, he had stabbed his mother and then later turned the knife on his father, stabbing him also," Darienzo said.

Dambrosio was out on bond and wearing an ankle monitor at that time. He had an order of protection from his sibling before the November incident. He had no prior arrests but did have prior interaction with law enforcement, Darienzo said.

Neighbors and longtime A & A customers said the deli was a neighborhood staple for decades, famed for its chicken cutlets and friendly owners. The business was packed on Sundays with customers who lined up for egg sandwiches. The family visited relatives in Italy every summer, neighbors said.