Organized crime figure killed in shooting on Montreal’s West Island

Montreal police (SPVM) say a 53-year-old man was shot and killed on Saint-Régis, near Deacon, in Dorval – outside a gym.

The victim is said to be organized crime figure Francesco Del Balso, but police would not confirm the information.

SPVM report that just before 1 p.m., officers were called to the scene after gunshots were heard.

“When police officers arrived onsite they found a 53-year-old man injured in his upper body. Unfortunately, the death of the man was confirmed on site,” said SPVM spokesperson Const. Jeanne Drouin.

A perimeter is up and the investigation is ongoing – no arrests have been made so far.

The details are still unclear.

People were inside the gym when it happened. No one else was injured.

“This murder confirms that the Montreal [mafia] war is not yet over,” said Antonio Nicaso, an expert on the Calabrian Mafia who has written over 40 books on organized crime. “Francesco Del Balso, used to run the gambling for the Rizzuto crime family. He had the skill and expertise on this field. And he tried to carve out a space in the control of extortion and gambling, illegal betting this racket and end up clashing with the organization leaders.”

Del Balso was arrested as part of the Operation Colisée in 2006, that saw multiple members of the Montreal mafia arrested.

He was convicted of gangsterism and conspiracy to import cocaine.

The shooting comes after two other high profile attacks this year.

In March, Leonardo Rizzuto, allegedly the leader of the Montreal Mafia, was shot at in Laval while driving on Highway 440. He survived with injuries.

In May, Claudia Iacono, the daughter-in-law of Montreal Mafia member Moreno Gallo, was shot and killed in the parking lot of her beauty salon in the Côte-des-Neiges–NDG.

There are media reports and speculation that Del Balso was involved in the hit on Rizzuto’s life

“[Del Balso] had tried to leave the country, which showed that he was being hunted down and had no way to defend himself or carry on the conflict,” added Nicaso.

“This is what will eventually trigger more violence. Because if he was alone in, I don’t think there will be any more violence related to these two cases. But if he was supported by other people, other organization, they may be a retaliation in the in different direction in the next few weeks and that will definitely trigger more violence and more planned,” continued Nicaso.

Andre Durocher retired SPVM inspector said,” I was talking to some investigators a couple of minutes ago, and they’re you know, now trying to figure out what will the next move be? […] It’s unfortunately a wait and see situation.”