<P> Just before Christmas 1945 , Vito is severely wounded in an assassination attempt by drug kingpin Virgil Sollozzo , throwing Michael into the middle of the Mafia world he had for so long avoided . Arriving at the hospital to find his father unprotected , Michael calls Sonny and prevents Sollozzo 's second attempt on Vito 's life , then reaffirms his loyalty at his father 's bedside . Captain Mark McCluskey , a corrupt NYPD officer on Sollozzo 's payroll , breaks Michael 's jaw . In retaliation for trying to kill Vito , Sonny orders the murder of Bruno Tattaglia , son and underboss of Sollozzo 's ally Philip Tattaglia . Sollozzo proposes that Michael be sent to broker a truce , but Sonny , believing that it 's a trap , refuses and demands that the other Mafia families hand over Sollozzo to the Corleone family or else face war . Michael suggests they agree to Sollozzo 's meeting but insist that it be in a public place , where he will kill both Sollozzo and McCluskey . Hagen warns Sonny that killing McCluskey would violate a long - standing Mafia rule not to kill police officers , and that the backlash from rival Mafia families and law enforcement would be severe . Michael successfully argues that McCluskey is fair game because he is a corrupt cop mixed up in the drug trade and serving as Sollozzo 's bodyguard . Sonny agrees and approves the hit . </P>
<P> Just before Christmas 1945 , Vito is severely wounded in an assassination attempt by drug kingpin Virgil Sollozzo , throwing Michael into the middle of the Mafia world he had for so long avoided . Arriving at the hospital to find his father unprotected , Michael calls Sonny and prevents Sollozzo 's second attempt on Vito 's life , then reaffirms his loyalty at his father 's bedside . Captain Mark McCluskey , a corrupt NYPD officer on Sollozzo 's payroll , breaks Michael 's jaw . In retaliation for trying to kill Vito , Sonny orders the murder of Bruno Tattaglia , son and underboss of Sollozzo 's ally Philip Tattaglia . Sollozzo proposes that Michael be sent to broker a truce , but Sonny , believing that it 's a trap , refuses and demands that the other Mafia families hand over Sollozzo to the Corleone family or else face war . Michael suggests they agree to Sollozzo 's meeting but insist that it be in a public place , where he will kill both Sollozzo and McCluskey . Hagen warns Sonny that killing McCluskey would violate a long - standing Mafia rule not to kill police officers , and that the backlash from rival Mafia families and law enforcement would be severe . Michael successfully argues that McCluskey is fair game because he is a corrupt cop mixed up in the drug trade and serving as Sollozzo 's bodyguard . Sonny agrees and approves the hit . </P>
who did michael corleone shoot in the restaurant
who did michael corleone shoot in the restaurant
Sollozzo McCluskey
Sollozzo McCluskey