Complex sentence: Born in Manhattan, Gioia grew up to make a reputation for himself as a tough guy in his own right, and at the age of 18 had shot a club bouncer who had disrespected a Lucchese wiseguy.
Split into simpler sentences: Born in Manhattan, Gioia grew up to be a tough guy. At age 18, Gioia shot a club bouncer who had disrespected a Lucchese wiseguy.