Police are continuing to investigate the high-profile killing of Charalambos Theologou, known as Bobby the Greek, who experts describe as a contract broker for organized crime groups in Montreal. The incident happened Wednesday in broad daylight at a Starbucks on Highway 440 in Laval, shocking customers who witnessed the deadly shooting.

A video circulating on social media shows two hooded men approaching Theologou, opening fire, and then fleeing the scene. Panicked customers dropped to the floor to take cover. In addition to Theologou’s death, two others were injured but are reported to be in stable condition.

A history of similar violence

Crime reporter Daniel Renaud of La Presse noted that such attacks are not unusual in Montreal. He pointed to previous incidents, including the 2019 murder of Salvatore Scoppa in a Laval hotel lobby and the 2022 killing of Bernard Cherfan in a busy restaurant.

According to Renaud, professional killers act as soon as they see an opportunity, even in crowded public places.

Burned vehicle discovered

Quebec provincial police (SQ) confirmed that hours after the killing, a torched vehicle was found in Montreal’s Rivière-des-Prairies neighbourhood. Authorities believe it may be linked to the shooting. No arrests have been made so far.

Who was Bobby the Greek?

Police sources describe Theologou as a well-known underworld figure who brokered contracts for extortion, firebombings, shootings, and even killings. “Every group knew who Bobby the Greek was,” said Renaud. “His group was one of several in Montreal managing such contracts.” Some sources also suggested he may have been in conflict with Ontario Hells Angels chapters.

Is a new mob war coming?

Experts say it’s too soon to declare an all-out mob war. “If more killings happen, then we’ll know,” Renaud said. “But for now, it’s not possible to say there’s a new war.”

Former Montreal police detective Pietro Poletti agreed, explaining that there is no single leader in Montreal’s organized crime scene anymore. “The last real leader was Vito Rizzuto, who died in 2012. Today, there’s a vacuum. It’s all fragmented clans and street gangs with easy access to weapons and little consequence from the law.”