What happened in Laval
According to Radio-Canada, a fatal shooting occurred Wednesday morning in Laval, near a Starbucks at the intersection of Highway 440 and 100th Avenue. The police arrived around 10:30 a.m. after reports of gunfire in a busy commercial area. The incident left Charalambos Theologou, known to police as the leader of the Chomedey Greek gang and nicknamed “Bobby the Greek,” dead at the scene. Two other people were seriously injured in the shooting. As of early reports, no suspect had been arrested and no weapon had been recovered. Authorities indicated the case is being treated as connected to organized crime, with the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) taking the investigation under its supervision.
A wide security perimeter was put in place by investigators, and police dogs were brought in as they canvassed the scene. A number of witnesses reported seeing the events unfold, complicating the early stages of the inquiry.
Investigation and official response
Laurent Arsenault, spokesperson for the Laval police (SPL), said the area was secure, but residents and visitors should avoid the sector while investigators worked. In Québec City, Public Security Minister Ian Lafrenière expressed concern about daytime violence and lauded the ongoing police effort against organized crime, noting that there are now more resources deployed to curb such activity. He also underscored the seriousness of violence in public spaces and reassured families that authorities are prioritizing public safety.
Minister Skeete, responsible for the Laval region, conveyed worry about the presence of street gangs and the increasing violence in the area. He emphasized that incidents like this are not normal and called for a continued, robust response from law enforcement.
A provincial press conference held by the SQ and later updates from the SPL and Laval’s city hall were planned for the afternoon to provide new information as the investigation progressed.
Context: organized crime and local safety
The shooting highlights ongoing concerns about organized crime and gang activity in the Laval-Chomedey area. The Greek gang of Chomedey has been the subject of police attention in recent years, and authorities say this incident underscores the need for a strong, coordinated response across policing bodies. While the immediate goal remains identifying suspects and securing the scene, officials stressed that the public safety implications are being scrutinized as part of a broader effort to disrupt criminal networks.
Radio-Canada’s reporting, confirmed by SPL and SQ statements, notes that the investigation is ongoing and that more details will emerge as evidence is reviewed and witnesses are interviewed. The public is reminded to avoid the area for now and to report any information that could assist investigators.
What witnesses and residents should know
Police are urging anyone with information or surveillance footage from the area to come forward to aid the inquiry. Tips can typically be provided to the SPL or SQ through established channels. While investigators pursue leads, officials reiterated commitments to maintaining public safety, increasing police presence where needed, and advancing the investigation with discretion and care for the affected families and community.
Next steps
A SQ-led case update was anticipated in the afternoon, followed by further briefings from the SPL and the Laval city administration. As more facts become available, local authorities aim to provide clarity on motive, potential connections to organized crime, and ongoing security measures in the area.
Information for this piece is drawn from Radio-Canada reports and statements from SPL, SQ, and Quebec ministers. Further updates will be provided as the investigation unfolds.
