MONTREAL – Two suspects held by Montreal police following a fatal gangland-style shooting in the city’s northeast Mercier district during Tuesday’s supper hour won’t be questioned until later in the day Wednesday.
The slain man, in his late 60s, was reportedly connected with Raynald Desjardins, the former right-hand man of reputed mob boss Vito Rizzuto – although police would not confirm this.
“Investigators will first complete their examination of the crime scene,” Constable Yannick Ouimet added early Wednesday morning.
That was expected to require until around 10 a.m. or 11 a.m., he added: “A good deal of work remains to be done.”
Also before the questioning of the two arrested men can begin, Ouimet said, the Montreal North home of one of them will be searched by investigators “to see if they can get any elements that could link the two suspects to the event.”
“At this time,” he cautioned, “we cannot say for sure that these two people arrested are directly linked to what happened last night.”
The victim was gunned down Tuesday about 6:15 p.m., near the intersection of Jean Tavernier and Pierre Gaulin Sts., close to Félix Leclerc Park. That’s several blocks south of where the Metropolitan Expressway intersects with Langelier Blvd.
This was Montreal Island’s fifth homicide of 2013.
The man had been getting out of his car when he was approached and shot in the upper body.
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Although police wouldn’t confirm any underworld connection, La Presse reported the victim was Gaétan Gosselin, 69, a brother-in-law and associate of Desjardins. Gosselin was arriving home when he was slain, the newspaper added.
Neighbours heard the shots and called 911.
The man was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
The two arrests were made on Brunet Ave., in Montreal North.
Last fall, Desjardins had fought but had failed to quash a witness subpoena served on him by the Charbonneau Commission, ordering him to testify.
Desjardins is expected to take the stand there soon.
Desjardins also has been charged with conspiracy to murder and first-degree murder, in the 2011 slaying of Mafia boss Salvatore Montagna.
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