Hamilton police say they are seeking a male suspect in the fatal shooting of an Ancaster man who is said to have connections to organized crime.
At a press conference on Friday, police identified the victim as Albert Iavarone, a 50-year-old real estate agent.
Det. Sgt. Peter Thom of Hamilton police said that the shooter had been waiting in the bushes outside Iavarone’s home on Sunflower Crescent, near the area of Scenic Drive and Mohawk Road.
“The culprit left his hiding spot, approached Mr. Iavarone and shot him before fleeing in the vehicle,” Thom said.
Police responded to a call just before 10 p.m. Thom said the man’s adult children and wife were home at the time he was shot and called 911.
Iavarone was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Thom described the shooting as a “targeted attack.” There is no known motive, though police said the victim has ties to organized crime.
“Mr. Iavarone has no criminal record but he is known to police as he is associated to individuals involved in traditional organized crime in the Hamilton area.”
Thom said the investigation is in its early stages and officers are combing through security camera footage. The weapon used has not been recovered.
Police do not have a suspect description but said the perpetrator is believed to be a man who drove a silver vehicle.
The shooting has come as a shock to those in the area.
“We’ve been living in this neighbourhood for 16 years and there’s been a couple of break-ins into homes and cars and what not, but never a murder that I’ve been aware of anyway,” said neighbourhood resident Maureen Gordon.
Another longtime resident, Addie Seichter, described the area as very quiet.
“You would never suspect something like that to happen here at all,” she said.
Police are asking anyone with information on the shooting to contact Det. Jason Cattle at 905-546-4167 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.