Peel Regional Police say two Quebec men have been arrested and a Canada-wide warrant has been issued for a third suspect after a Hells Angels member was gunned down in a Mississauga plaza parking lot earlier this week.
Police said they responded to a call around 11 a.m. on Monday at the Huf Gym located at 700 Dundas St. E. near Cawthra Road.
Officers arrived on scene and located a man, identified as 32-year-old Michael Deabaitua-Schulde, suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
“The attack did start in the parking lot and it did end in the area of the gym,” acting Supt. Martin Ottaway told reporters during a news conference on Thursday afternoon.
VIDEO: Peel police arrest 2 Montreal men, looking for a third, just days after fatal daylight shooting. Catherine McDonald reports.
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Police said two men wearing dark hoodies were seen fleeing the area in a blue Honda Civic, which was later found on fire near Rymal Road and Tomken Road several blocks away from where the shooting occurred.
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“I believe they torched that vehicle in order to dispose of evidence,” Ottaway said.
Investigators confirmed on Thursday the victim, who was known to authorities, was a member of the Niagara chapter Hells Angels motorcycle gang and was targeted.
“He is a well-entrenched member of that motorcycle gang,” Ottaway said.
Police said all three suspects are from Quebec and two of them were arrested in Montreal on Wednesday night. Authorities did not reveal the motive of the shooting.
VIDEO: Peel police say Hells Angels member killed in ‘targeted attack’
The accused have been identified as 28-year-old Marckens Vilme and 26-year-old Jonathan Martinez-Reyes, both from Montreal.
Vilme is facing a charge of first-degree murder and Martinez-Reyes is facing a charge of accessory after the fact.
A Canada-wide warrant has been issued for 28-year-old Joseph Pallotta, also from Montreal, who is wanted for first-degree murder.
Investigators said the three men are not associated with a motorcycle gang but are believed to be involved in organized crime.
Police said Hells Angels members reside across the province but don’t currently have a presence in Peel Region.
“The fact that they reside in different parts of the province, here in Mississauga, I can assure the community that this still remains one of the safest communities within Canada,” Chief Chris McCord said.
“We will put all the efforts that we have to put into this to make sure we maintain that safety.”
VIDEO: 32-year-old male shot and killed in Mississauga
Police said their investigation is ongoing and there may be other suspects.
The shooting is Peel Region’s fourth homicide of 2019.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the homicide unit at 905-453-2121 ext. 3205 or Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
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