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 cafรฉ, 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, โBobby the Greek.โ 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 Lafreniรจre 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 โinnocent victimsโ being harmed.
โThis has all the hallmarks of a planned attack,โ Lafreniรจre 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).
โI have just learned that there has been a shooting in Laval near the Starbucks that I myself frequent quite often,โ Skeete wrote. โI urge citizens to avoid the area and want residents to know that I am monitoring the situation closely with my colleagues.โ
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.
SAGAMU, Ogun State, Nigeria โ The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed that Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, the driver of the Lexus SUV involved in the fatal motor vehicle collision that injured British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua and killed two passengers, has been formally charged in court.
Police officials stated that Kayode, 46, was arraigned on Thursday, January 2, 2026, before the Sagamu Magistrate Court, where he faces charges of reckless and dangerous driving.
The case has been adjourned until January 20, 2026, for further proceedings.
According to police, the crash occurred earlier in the week along the LagosโIbadan Expressway, a major highway in southwestern Nigeria.
The Lexus SUV was transporting Anthony Joshua and two of his close associates, Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, when it collided with a stationary truck parked along the roadway.
Both Ayodele and Ghami sustained fatal injuries in the crash.
Police spokesperson Oluseyi Babaseyi confirmed that the defendant was granted bail in the sum of โฆ5 million (approximately $3,480 USD), with two sureties, and was remanded in custody pending the fulfillment of the bail conditions.
The Ogun State Police Command reiterated in a public update that the arraignment followed a comprehensive preliminary investigation into the circumstances of the collision.
Authorities emphasized that investigations remain ongoing.
Anthony Joshua, a former world heavyweight boxing champion, survived the crash but reportedly suffered significant emotional trauma as a result of the incident.
Ayodele and Ghami were described as long-time friends, training partners, and key members of Joshuaโs professional support team, regularly accompanying him before, during, and after major fights.
Ayodele was notably present ringside during Joshuaโs recent bout, where he was seen holding the Nigerian flag.
The remains of the two deceased men were transported to a mortuary in Sagamu.
Both were reported to be Muslims, and arrangements for burial in accordance with Islamic rites are pending. Officials have not yet confirmed when their bodies will be repatriated to the United Kingdom.
Authorities have also renewed calls for improved road safety enforcement, particularly concerning the illegal and prolonged parking of heavy-duty trucks along highways, which has been cited as a recurring hazard on Nigerian roads.
The Ogun State Police Command urged motorists to exercise caution, adhere strictly to speed limits, and ensure proper judgment when overtaking or maneuvering on highways.
Further updates are expected as the case proceeds through the court system.