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.
Crime
Tumbler Ridge Secondary School Shooter Jesse Van Rootselaar Created Mall Shooting Simulator in Roblox
Investigators and online researchers have identified a Roblox account allegedly linked to Jesse Van Rootselaar, the 18-year-old suspect in the deadly mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia.
According to platform officials, the account was discovered by users on the internet forum Kiwi Farms, who reported that Van Rootselaar had created a game — referred to on Roblox as an “experience” — that simulated a shooting inside a shopping mall.
The virtual environment appeared to resemble a Canadian retail complex, although it has not been confirmed whether the design was intended to replicate a specific real-world location.
Videos circulating on social media prior to its removal showed a player-controlled character collecting weapons and firing into crowds of animated civilians within the mall setting.
The footage quickly drew widespread concern given the seriousness of the real-world attack.
Roblox confirmed that the account belonged to the suspect and announced swift action in response.
“We have removed the user account connected to this horrifying incident, as well as any content associated with the suspect,” the company said in a statement. “We are committed to fully supporting law enforcement in their investigation.”
Initially, reports suggested the game remained accessible despite the account being deleted. However, Roblox later clarified that the content has now been removed from the platform.
The company also noted that the mall-themed experience was only accessible through Roblox Studio, a development application used by creators to build games, rather than through the main platform available to general users.
As a result, the experience reportedly recorded only seven visits, indicating extremely limited exposure.
Investigators are continuing to examine the suspect’s digital footprint, including online posts and usernames believed to match across multiple platforms such as Reddit, where references to Roblox activity were also reportedly found.
Van Rootselaar is accused of carrying out the February 10 shooting that left eight people dead and at least 25 others injured at the secondary school.
Authorities have not indicated whether the online content forms part of the official investigative findings, but technology platforms are increasingly scrutinized in the aftermath of violent incidents for potential warning signs.
Officials emphasize that the broader investigation remains active as law enforcement works to establish a complete timeline, understand possible motives, and determine whether any additional factors contributed to the tragedy.