Assassination of Underworld Figure in Quebec Starbucks May Indicate Shift to Bold Methods, Say Criminologists

The brazen midday assassination of a prominent Montreal underworld figure inside a outlying Starbucks recently could suggest a developing, more unstable and brash landscape when it comes to organised crime, observers say.

Leadership Void Emerging

The arrests of purported high-ranking, older members of the city's organized crime in June has likely resulted in a void – meaning upcoming, younger gangs are working to secure territory.

Shooting Incident Information

Authorities said at a media update that they were summoned to a Starbucks in the Montreal suburb at about late morning on Wednesday because of alerts of a gunfire inside the café. One man was fatally shot and two others were hurt.

Victim Identification

While authorities have not confirmed the target's name, several Canadian media outlets have indicated the man murdered was a convicted illegal substance distributor, forty, also known by an street name. The person was the head of a gang operating in the area.

Official Statements

The province's security official commented: "All evidence indicates it being an incident connected with criminal organizations."

The law enforcement leader informed reporters that while he could not provide details on the ongoing probe, he recognizes the man deceased due to his "reputation". "The individual was connected to criminal networks," he added.

Criminal History

The victim was first connected publicly to unlawful behavior in 2005 when authorities in Montreal detained him and six others in a narcotics distribution probe. He ended up pleading guilty on narcotics charges and was sentenced to two years in prison.

According to documents, the person was detained for a later instance in 2009, again for drug trafficking, and was later given to another half-decade in prison.

Expert Analysis

A university expert noted that organised crime in the area used to be defined around maintaining control over open confrontations and counted on a clear hierarchical structure.

An bold midday assassination at a popular café points to there may not be a major player keeping order – as conflict could harm business when it comes to drug trafficking, commented the analyst.

Organizational Breakdown

The analyst suggested it is plausible that the group which eliminated the underworld figure simply "showed disregard" about the public display of force in order to eliminate their quarry.

But the expert said more plausible is there has been a erosion of structure and control within criminal networks in Montreal, connected with major detentions of the purported heads of the city's organized crime made in June.

Major Apprehensions

After a 36-month inquiry, law enforcement arrested an suspected criminal organization head and accused him with homicide and other connected charges.

Existing Conditions

The recent detentions were seen as the ultimate "decisive blow" for the long-standing underworld hierarchy, commented the analyst.

It has created a hole that emerging urban organizations are looking to fill. The Wednesday's violence is an indication of an volatile, changing situation, he noted.

"There is kind of this multitude of small, not super well-organised gangs ... that are vying for power," he remarked.