🔗 Share this article Killing of Underworld Figure in Quebec Starbucks May Indicate Transition to Bold Methods, Say Criminologists The audacious daylight killing of a influential Canadian crime boss inside a suburban Starbucks this week could suggest a emerging, more volatile and brash environment when it comes to underworld activities, analysts report. Leadership Void Emerging The apprehensions of alleged high-ranking, veteran members of Montreal's mafia in June has potentially left a chasm – meaning emerging, younger gangs are striving to gain a foothold. Fatal Encounter Details Authorities said at a news conference that they were called to a Starbucks in the Montreal suburb at about mid-morning on Wednesday because of notifications of a shooting inside the establishment. An individual was fatally shot and two more individuals were hurt. Victim Identification While authorities have not confirmed the target's name, various Canadian media outlets have indicated the man fatally shot was a previously found guilty illegal substance distributor, forty, also known by an nickname. The person was the leader of a organization operating in the area. Authority Comments The Quebec's public security minister commented: "Available information suggests it being an event connected with organised crime." The area's top officer told media that while he could not provide details on the investigation, he is familiar with the man deceased due to his "notoriety". "He is associated with organised crime," he noted. Past Record The targeted individual was first associated formally to criminal activity in fifteen years ago when law enforcement in Montreal detained him and several accomplices in a narcotics distribution probe. He eventually confessing on narcotics charges and was given to 24 months in prison. According to reports, the person was apprehended for a second time in over a decade ago, again for illegal substance sales, and was later handed to another five years in prison. Expert Analysis A academic specialist explained that underworld activities in the area used to be defined around maintaining control over open confrontations and relied on a clear leadership system. An brazen daylight murder at a popular café suggests there may not be a dominant force enforcing rules – as aggression could harm operations when it comes to drug trafficking, explained the analyst. Control Loss The professor said it is plausible that the organization which targeted the gang leader simply "did not care" about the open demonstration of aggression in order to kill their objective. But the expert believes more likely is there has been a decline of hierarchy and authority within criminal networks in Montreal, related to major apprehensions of the purported chiefs of local criminal networks made in June. Key Detentions After a multi-year inquiry, authorities took into custody an alleged organized crime boss and indicted him with killing and other associated charges. Current Situation The recent detentions were seen as the ultimate "nail in the coffin" for the established underworld hierarchy, commented the analyst. It has left a vacuum that younger urban organizations are attempting to take over. The recent shooting is an sign of an volatile, evolving situation, he said. "We're seeing kind of this abundance of small, not super well-organised gangs ... that are vying for dominance," he concluded.