[citation needed] About a year after Bruno's death, Testa was killed by the blast of a nail bomb at his home in South Philadelphia.

The assassination was allegedly ordered by Testa’s own underboss, Peter Casella, as part of the Second Philadelphia Mafia War.

In early police dossiers on Testa, he was identified by law enforcement as not having a legitimate source of income and was solely dependent from winnings as a "common gambler."

One month before Testa was murdered, he, Frank Narducci Sr., Harold and Mario Riccobene, Pasquale Spirito, Joseph Ciancaglini, and several associates were indicted in a federal racketeering case that centered on gambling and loansharking operations run by the mob.

Nicodemo Scarfo seized the top position for himself, promoting his long time friend Chuckie Merlino as his underboss and Testa loyalist Frank Monte as his consigliere.