Gunfire struck a Mr. Puffs café in Laval, Quebec, believed to have been frequented by a recently deceased gang leader. This incident marked the third shooting in the city within a 48-hour period, following a recent announcement by Laval police about their intent to tackle extortion activities. Two cafés were targeted in quick succession on Thursday, with authorities refraining from confirming any links between the shootings at this early stage. The situation is under investigation by organized crime detectives.
Following the killing of Charalambos Theologou, also known as Bobby the Greek, in a busy Starbucks on October 2, Mr. Puffs issued a statement denying any association with the deceased individual. Reports had suggested that Theologou, purportedly the leader of an extortion-focused gang called the Greeks of Chomedey, had utilized a Mr. Puffs outlet as a base of operations. Mr. Puffs explicitly refuted any business or operational connections with Theologou or any criminal group.
The café was empty during the shooting incident, and Mr. Puffs, a national chain specializing in pastries and coffee, has been unaffected by the recent events. Laval police have observed a surge in extortion cases within their jurisdiction and are urging affected merchants to provide assistance to aid investigations. The authorities emphasize that victimized businesses coerced into making payments to criminal entities will be treated as victims rather than wrongdoers.