World
Organized crime member Charalambos Theologou killed after shooting at Starbucks in Laval
A man with well-documented ties to organized crime was killed and two others were critically injured during a daylight shooting at a Starbucks in Laval, Quebec, in what authorities believe was a carefully planned attack.
The incident unfolded around 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, when Laval police received a 911 call reporting gunfire at the café, located in a busy strip mall at the corner of Highway 440 service road and 100th Avenue.
The commercial complex, which also houses several other restaurants and businesses, was crowded with customers at the time of the attack.
The victim has been identified as Charalambos Theologou, widely known by his underworld nickname, “Bobby the Greek.” Theologou was a prominent figure in organized crime circles and is believed to have overseen the Chomedey Greeks, a Laval-based gang with a history of violent criminal activity.
The two men injured in the shooting are also reported to be members of the Chomedey Greeks. They were transported to hospital in serious condition.
Speaking in Quebec City, Public Security Minister Ian Lafrenière confirmed that one person had been killed and two others wounded.
He emphasized that preliminary findings suggest the shooting was a targeted strike linked to organized crime, and reassured the public that there was no indication of “innocent victims” being harmed.
“This has all the hallmarks of a planned attack,” Lafrenière said, noting the incident bore similarities to other organized crime-related hits in the province.
Theologou, 45, had a lengthy criminal history that included convictions for conspiracy, weapons offenses, and drug trafficking. He was sentenced to four years in prison in 2007 for conspiracy and aggravated assault, followed by a five-year prison term in 2010 for drug trafficking shortly after his release.
Investigative reports have also linked him to an extortion ring operating in Laval, reinforcing his reputation as a key figure in Montreal-area organized crime.
The shooting has prompted concern among Laval residents and elected officials.
Quebec MNA Christopher Skeete, who represents a riding in the city, acknowledged the incident in a statement posted to social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
“I have just learned that there has been a shooting in Laval near the Starbucks that I myself frequent quite often,” Skeete wrote. “I urge citizens to avoid the area and want residents to know that I am monitoring the situation closely with my colleagues.”
Police investigators have cordoned off the Starbucks and surrounding businesses as forensic teams examine the scene.
Authorities have not yet released information on possible suspects or whether the shooters fled on foot or by vehicle.
The investigation remains ongoing.
GUAYAQUIL, ECUADOR — A powerful car bomb detonated near Mall del Sol in Guayaquil resulting in multiple fatalities and numerous injuries, according to local authorities.
The blast, which sent shockwaves across the bustling commercial district, is being investigated as a possible terror or organized crime-related attack amid Ecuador’s ongoing struggle with rising gang violence.
The explosion occurred near one of the main entrances of Mall del Sol, one of Guayaquil’s largest and busiest shopping centers, located in the north of the city.
Witnesses described a scene of chaos and destruction as a vehicle parked along the roadside suddenly erupted into flames, sending a massive fireball and thick black smoke into the air.
Surveillance footage and videos shared on social media captured the moment of the detonation, showing debris flying across the street as nearby cars were engulfed by the blast.
Several storefronts and vehicles in the vicinity were heavily damaged, and windows shattered across multiple nearby buildings.
Initial reports from emergency responders indicate that several people were killed, and multiple others sustained serious injuries.
The exact number of casualties has not yet been officially confirmed as rescue operations continue.
Firefighters, police, and medical teams quickly arrived at the scene, cordoning off the area and extinguishing the burning vehicles. Paramedics transported the injured to nearby hospitals, while authorities evacuated the surrounding area to ensure public safety.
Officials from Ecuador’s National Police and Armed Forces have launched an immediate investigation into the attack. Early indications suggest that explosives were deliberately placed inside a parked vehicle, though authorities have not yet disclosed details about the type of device used or any possible suspects.
The Attorney General’s Office and anti-terrorism units are leading the forensic examination of the blast site. Authorities have increased security across Guayaquil and other major Ecuadorian cities, fearing possible coordinated attacks.
Ecuador’s Minister of the Interior condemned the attack, calling it a “cowardly act of violence intended to spread fear among citizens.” The government pledged to bring those responsible to justice and reaffirmed its commitment to restoring security amid escalating gang-related violence in the region.
Residents are urged to avoid the Mall del Sol area as the investigation remains active.
Further updates are expected as officials release more information on the number of victims and the circumstances leading up to the explosion.