A shooting incident at a Starbucks in Laval, Quebec, has left the community on edge, with fears of escalating violence following the death of Charalambos Theologou, a known figure in organized crime. The 40-year-old was fatally shot in a commercial plaza, with two others wounded in the incident.
Former Montreal police lieutenant detective Pietro Poletti highlighted the current state of street-level organized crime, emphasizing the prevalence of guns and the absence of a central leader enforcing rules. He warned of potential retaliation following Theologou’s death, as rival factions vie for control in the drug trade.
Theologou had a history of drug trafficking and weapons offenses, leading to multiple prison sentences and parole violations. Authorities are investigating the shooting, with a burnt-out vehicle possibly linked to the crime scene. Quebec provincial police are spearheading the inquiry, but no arrests have been made so far.
The security footage from the coffee shop revealed the victims appearing at ease before the shooting, indicating they may have been meeting someone. Laval police are stepping up patrols and collaboration efforts to combat organized crime in the area, despite a recent decline in gun-related incidents.
Keyphrase: organized crime violence
