Man suspected of organized crime ties gunned down in Scarborough
Ioannis Kyriakopoulos was killed in a 'targeted' shooting outside his house, which the RCMP raided earlier this year
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A 64-year-old man – accused earlier this year of participating in a criminal organization – was gunned down outside of his Scarborough home late Friday.
Toronto Police say officers responded to reports of gunshots at a house near Leyton and Landry Aves., just north of Danforth Ave. and Danforth Rd., shortly before 11:30 p.m.
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Officers arrived to find a man out front of a house suffering from a gunshot wound, Det.-Sgt. Aaron Akeson said at the scene Saturday, explaining emergency responders tried to revive the man but he was pronounced dead soon after.
The victim has been identified as Ioannis Kyriakopoulos.
“He has a family that’s grieving,” Akeson said. “He was a father, a husband, and there are a lot of people that were close to him that are grieving his death at this point.”
He wouldn’t say if the victim lived in the area, but he did say the man was “known to police.”
Akeson refused to comment on a possible motive for the deadly shooting and was unwilling to offer any further details.
However, a source confirmed to the Toronto Sun that Kyriakopoulos owns the house where he was found shot to death and that the home was among a number of locations raided five months ago by RCMP officers attempting to dismantle an alleged illegal gaming and book-making network.
“The raids were carried out by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) from March 28 to March 30,” the RCMP said in a statement released April 5. “The results of the coordinated enforcement effort have led to charges against persons linked to an alleged criminal organization, including former Hells Angels member Paris Christoforou.”
Christoforou, a former full-patch member of the Hells Angels, was among four men convicted for the high-profile 2004 botched mob hit in North York that left innocent victim Louise Russo paralyzed from the shoulders down and confined to a wheelchair for life.
A van screeched to a halt out front of California Sandwiches on Chesswood Dr., its side door flung open and rounds began flying from an AR-15 assault rifle.
But the bullets missed their intended target – believed to have been a Gambino crime family associate – and Russo was hit while inside the shop ordering dinner as her daughter waited outside in their vehicle.
Christoforou was convicted in 2006 for his role in the shooting and sentenced to nine years in prison. He was released on parole in 2012.
In a rare move, Russo was paid $2 million restitution to cover costs of her rehabilitation and increased living expenses.
At the time, police were criticized for arranging the deal and sources told the Toronto Sun it was believed the money came from a sports gambling company tied to the Hells Angels.
That company, Platinum Sports, made headlines in February 2013 after the RCMP raided a Markham Super Bowl party for alleged illegal online gaming.
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The RCMP raids earlier this year were the culmination of a two-year investigation and resulted in 16 arrests, including alleged money launderers, gaming house operators, enforcers and debt collectors.
“In addition to leaders of the group, those facing charges include the owner/operators of restaurants, bars, and properties where gaming machines were being kept and used,” the RCMP said after executing search warrants at locations in Toronto, and Vaughan that included five alleged gaming houses, eight residences, two businesses, and safety deposit boxes at two bank branches.
Christoforou, who the RCMP accused of being the “ring leader,” was out of the country at the time, so a warrant was issued for his arrest.
The 48-year-old was wanted for instructing an offence in association with a criminal organization and participating in the activities of a criminal organization.
During their investigation, the RCMP seized illegal gaming devices, electronics, documentary evidence, jewelry, more than $250,000 in cash, and multiple pistols and long guns.
Kyriakopoulos, the victim of Saturday’s deadly shooting in Scarborough, was listed by the RCMP among the accused who “allegedly maintained prominent roles” in the illegal gaming and illegal sports betting operations.
Kyriakopoulos was charged with participating in the activities of a criminal organization, committing an offence in association with a criminal organization, instructing an offence in association with a criminal organization, and keeping a common gaming house.
The outcome of those charges in not known.
Meanwhile, Toronto cops continue to investigate the killing of Kyriakopoulos and no arrests have been made.
“At this time, we’re at the very preliminary stages of our investigation,” Akeson said. “However, I can tell you that there are at least three suspects who fled the area in a dark-coloured SUV.”
“I do believe it was targeted,” he added.
Police were gathering evidence and looking for video from area security cameras on Saturday.
Akeson asked any witnesses who have not yet spoken to police to come forward.
Anyone with information regarding the city’s 56th murder of the year is urged to call the Homicide Unit at 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
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