Quebec provincial police make arrest in Leonardo Rizzuto shooting

Quebec provincial police arrested a 32-year-old man Thursday night from Mascouche, in connection to the attempted murder of Leonardo Rizzuto, a suspected organized crime leader. The incident took place on March 15 in Laval, north of Montreal.

The organized crime enforcement squad (ENRCO) made the arrest just a few days after a command post had been setup to gather more information from potential witnesses.

Authorities never officially named the victim and continue to keep it confidential, but he is said to be Rizzuto, son of the former godfather of the Montreal mafia, Vito Rizzuto.

Police did not reveal the name of the arrested suspect and say he is being met by investigators. They will only confirm after that if he’ll be brought before the court or released.

#Arrestation | Un homme de 32 ans de Mascouche a été arrêté en lien avec une tentative de meurtre survenue à Laval le 15 mars dernier. https://t.co/OXh0Kov5oz

— Sûreté du Québec (@sureteduquebec) April 28, 2023

On Tuesday, the Sûreté du Québec set up a command post for the full day, not far from the place 53-year-old Rizzuto was eating at, just a few minutes before getting in his car and shots were fired at him.

The National Organized Crime Enforcement Squad (ENRCO) and the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) Major Crime Investigation Division looking for relevant information regarding the vehicles involved in this attempted murder.

“We’re looking for anybody who could give us some information, either relating to this event or a possible suspects or people who may have witnessed this thing on March 15, around 4:30 p.m. on the highway,” had said Sgt. Audrey-Anne Bilodeau spokesperson for ENRCO. “Probably some dashcams or cell phone images that could help our investigators make an arrest in that case.”

Rizzuto was reportedly shot at around six times, from someone in a moving vehicle as he drove on Highway 440. In his Mercedes, Rizzuto took exit 17 leading to Highway 13 southbound and drove to the parking lot of a funeral complex in the Sainte-Dorothée area.

The occupant of a black Porsche Macan allegedly fired several times at the victim’s car. The investigation showed that a second vehicle, a red Porsche Macan, could be linked to the attempted murder.

RELATED:

• Police asking for public’s help in Rizzuto shooting investigation
• Alleged Montreal mafia leader Leonardo Rizzuto shot in Laval
• SQ seeks witnesses to attempted murder on Highway 440 in Laval Wednesday

“Normally when you set up a command post like that is because you’re looking for that one little piece of evidence that can make the difference,” retired Montreal police officer, André Durocher, had said on Tuesday.

Rizzuto’s older brother, Nicolo Rizzuot Jr., was shot and killed in Montreal’s NDG borough in 2009, and his grandfather, Nicolo Sr., was shot and killed in his home by a sniper.

The SQ encourage anyone to come forward confidentially with any information by calling their Central Criminal Information line at 1-800-659-4264.

– With files from The Canadian Press