Quick Read A man in his 40s, identified as Charalambos Theologou, was killed in a shooting at a Laval Starbucks.
Two others, also allegedly linked to organized crime, were wounded.
No Starbucks employees or bystanders were injured.
Police believe the attack was a targeted hit connected to organized crime.
The Sûreté du Québec is leading the ongoing investigation; no arrests have been made.
Starbucks Shooting in Laval: Organized Crime Suspected in Daylight Attack
It was a Wednesday morning that began like any other at a bustling Starbucks off Highway 440 in Laval, Quebec. But by 10:30 a.m., the routine calm had shattered, replaced by the chaos of police sirens, a cordoned-off parking lot, and the grim reality of gunfire erupting in broad daylight. The attack would leave one man dead, two others injured, and a community shaken by the specter of organized crime reaching into a place many considered safe.
Victims Identified: Theologou and the Chomedey Greeks
According to Montreal Gazette, the victim killed in the shooting was Charalambos Theologou, 40, a convicted drug trafficker known in Laval as “Bobby the Greek.” Police have not officially confirmed whether Theologou was the deceased, but multiple reports, including Radio-Canada and AA News, identified him as the central figure in the attack. Theologou’s name has long been associated with the Chomedey Greeks gang, a group operating in Montreal’s southwest and the city’s metro stations, with a history of extortion, weapons offenses, and drug trafficking.
The other two wounded men were also said to be connected to this gang, reinforcing authorities’ suspicions that the shooting was a targeted hit, not a random act. Quebec’s Public Security Minister Ian Lafrenière stated, “What I am told is there were no innocent victims in the Starbucks. My police experience tells me this seems to be related to organized crime.” His words offered some reassurance to the public but underscored the gravity of the situation: a criminal feud playing out in a public space, with bystanders just steps away.
How the Incident Unfolded: Eyewitnesses and Police Response
The Starbucks and neighboring businesses were busy that morning, filled with customers and employees. Eyewitness Marion Bauer, who works at the Oxford Learning Centre just meters from the scene, described a sudden commotion: “We were in the building and didn’t hear or see anything until police arrived—then lots of police cars blocking entrances and exits, officers walking around with shields. It was scary.” As officers secured the area, patrons in nearby restaurants were told to move back, and no one was permitted to leave with their vehicles for hours.
Police quickly established a large perimeter, blocking off stretches of businesses and parking lots. The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) took over the investigation from Laval police, setting up a command post and interviewing witnesses. Despite the rapid response, no arrests have been made, and the suspects remain at large. Sgt. Laurie Avoine of the SQ confirmed, “We’re looking for one or many suspects,” but as of early afternoon, the search had not yielded results.
Christopher Skeete, the local Member of the National Assembly for Sainte-Rose, posted a message urging citizens to avoid the area and expressed his own shock: “I go for coffee there. I used to work near there. It is very scary to think that we have machine gun fire in Laval.” For Skeete and many others, the incident shattered the sense of everyday security that local businesses like Starbucks represent.
Organized Crime in Laval: A Growing Concern
Theologou’s criminal history is well-documented. He was sentenced to five years in prison in 2010 after pleading guilty to conspiracy and several counts of drug trafficking, and had previously served four years for conspiracy and aggravated assault. His network operated independently of larger organized crime groups, according to police, but his reputation in Laval was formidable. One resident described Theologou as “no small man,” adding, “Everyone knows him in Laval and everyone is afraid of him.” For some in the community, the news was unsurprising but deeply saddening: “It’s a human being, but he chose his path.”
Quebec authorities have been intensifying their efforts against organized crime, with recent operations targeting high-profile figures in the region. The June police raid that led to the arrest of suspected mob boss Leonardo Rizzuto highlighted the continuing struggle between law enforcement and criminal networks. Lafrenière emphasized, “Police are maintaining huge pressure on organized crime. Believe me, this is far from being over.” His comments reflect a broader concern: that while such incidents are not routine, the underlying issues remain unresolved.
Community Impact and Ongoing Investigation
For Starbucks employees and neighboring businesses, the shooting brought immediate disruption and anxiety. A spokesperson for Starbucks told the Montreal Gazette, “We are devastated to learn of the incident,” adding that no employees were harmed and that the company is cooperating fully with authorities, providing support to staff.
Marion Bauer and other business managers found themselves stranded, unable to access their cars or leave the premises as the area was locked down. Police interviewed everyone present, seeking clues about the perpetrators and the sequence of events. Bauer described the mood: “We’re anxious to get home and see our families.” In the aftermath, the affected community faces lingering questions about safety, trust, and the reach of criminal organizations into public life.
Laval, Quebec’s third-largest city, sits just north of Montreal and is home to over 450,000 residents. Incidents like this are rare, but their impact is profound, unsettling the rhythms of daily life and prompting renewed calls for vigilance and reform. Skeete sought to reassure the public: “I would still remind Quebecers that we live in a relatively safe place. There’s no need to be overly concerned about what happened there being a routine phenomenon every day, but it does point to the case that organized crime does need to be addressed and that we need to look at it straight in the eye.”
What Comes Next: Law Enforcement and Public Response
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on finding the perpetrators and preventing further violence. The SQ and local police are reviewing surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, and analyzing evidence from the scene. The lack of innocent casualties was a small consolation, but the attack’s brazenness has reignited debate about the adequacy of current strategies to combat organized crime.
For the people of Laval and Montreal, the Starbucks shooting serves as a stark reminder: even familiar places can become arenas for criminal conflict. It also underscores the importance of sustained, coordinated law enforcement efforts and community vigilance. The story is still unfolding, with many hoping for swift justice and a return to normalcy.
While the Laval Starbucks shooting may not mark a turning point in Quebec’s fight against organized crime, it exposes the persistent challenge of keeping public spaces safe. The incident’s daylight execution and links to a well-known criminal figure highlight both the risks facing communities and the urgent need for comprehensive law enforcement strategies. The public’s resilience—and demand for answers—will be crucial in shaping the city’s response.
[SRC] https://azat.tv/en/organized-crime-linked-to-fatal-shooting-at-laval-starbucks/
