The daughter-in-law of Montreal Mafia member Moreno Gallo was killed in a targeted shooting in the parking lot of her beauty salon on Tuesday, Radio-Canada is reporting.
Multiple sources tell Radio-Canada that a gunman shot Claudia Iacono five times at 4:30 p.m. after waiting for her to enter the parking lot of her beauty salon, Salon Deauville, in the Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough.
Montreal police say when they arrived on the scene, they found a woman with gunshot wounds inside her car.
“When the victim was hit by bullets, her vehicle was in motion and collided with a building,” said Montreal police spokesperson Const. Sabrina Gauthier.
Witnesses told police the shooter ran away after opening fire, police say.
Police would not confirm the victim’s age or identity. Gauthier said the victim was declared dead at the scene.
Hit may have crossed a line
Iacono was the wife of Anthony Gallo. Anthony’s father, Moreno Gallo, was killed in Mexico in 2013.
Iacono was not involved in criminal activities, according to Radio-Canada sources.
Montreal police Chief Fady Dagher told reporters Wednesday morning that the city is still “very safe” despite the shooting taking place in broad daylight.
Although Dagher called the timing of the shooting “concerning,” he said “it’s not dangerous to be out at all because it was targeted.”
“We cannot prevent all the revenge from organized crime,” he said.
He added that it is too early to say more about the investigation, but he expects to see some kind of retaliation within the underworld.
“If it’s connected to organized crime, it’s one of the first times that we see a woman being targeted,” he said. “We are looking into it to find out why it happened to that person, to that woman.”
André Gélinas, a retired sergeant from the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM)’s criminal intelligence unit, said wives are rarely targeted in Mafia attacks.
“One thing is certain, we have just crossed a line by killing the spouse. Now, this limit will be crossed by criminal organizations,” he said. “It just sent the message that no one is untouchable anymore. Not even Mafia wives.”
Valérie Plante, the mayor of Montreal, told reporters on Wednesday that the shooting is “extremely troubling.”
“When we speak to the SPVM, what they tell us is that organized crime is changing,” she said. “But clearly it’s more and more true because certain codes, for them too, the code for criminals, changes. Obviously it worries us.”
Her beauty salon was targeted
SPVM police officers had previously met Iacono in early 2015 after her salon had been the target of a Molotov cocktail attack, Radio-Canada sources said.
The salon parking lot is located near the intersection of Jean-Talon and de la Savane streets, an area known as the “Triangle.”
Claudia Iacono owned Salon Deauville, a beauty shop in Côtes-des-Neiges. (Claudia Iacono/Facebook)
Radio-Canada reports the attack was perceived at the time as a message to her husband, Anthony Gallo, and brother-in-law Moreno Gallo Jr., who were involved in organized crime.
Police have made no arrests so far and are speaking with more witnesses.
Major crime investigators and forensic identification technicians were also called to the scene.
ANTIGONISH, N.S. – Mila Mulroney has been named the 11th chancellor of St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia, the alma mater of her husband, former prime minister Brian Mulroney.
Brian Mulroney died Feb. 29 at the age of 84.
Mila Mulroney issued a statement today saying the university in Antigonish, N.S., was the place where her husband was inspired to become involved in politics and his experiences there helped form his values.
She says that over the past 50 years, she has spent many days at the campus and has met many of her husband’s fellow graduates.
The statement says she is “humbled and honoured” to take on her new role.
Dennis Flood, chairman of the university’s board of governors, said Mila Mulroney’s experience as a philanthropist and her international profile will bring “invaluable strengths” to the university.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 17, 2024
The Northern Super League has fleshed out its front office with four appointments.
Jose Maria Celestino da Costa was named vice-president and head of soccer operations while Marianne Brooks was appointed vice-president of partnerships, Kelly Shouldice as vice-president of brand and content and Joyce Sou as vice-president of finance and business operations.
The new six-team women’s pro league is set to kick off in April.
“Their unique expertise and leadership are crucial as we lay the foundation for not just a successful league in Canada, but one that stands among the top sports leagues in the world,” NSL president Christina Litz said in a statement. “By investing in top-tier talent and infrastructure, the Northern Super League is committed to creating a league that will elevate the game and set new standards for women’s professional soccer globally.”
Da Costa will oversee all on-field matters, including officiating. His resume includes stints with Estoril Praia, a men’s first-division team in Portugal, and the Portuguese Soccer Federation, where he helped develop the Portuguese women’s league.
Brooks spent a decade with Canucks Sports & Entertainment, working in “partnership sales and retention efforts” for the Vancouver Canucks, Vancouver Warriors, and Rogers Arena. Most recently, she served as senior director of account management at StellarAlgo, a software company that helps pro sports teams connect with their fans
Shouldice has worked for Corus Entertainment, the Canadian Football League, and most recently as vice-president of Content and Communications at True North Sports & Entertainment, where she managed original content as well as business and hockey communications.
Sou, who was involved in the league’s initial launch, will oversee financial planning, analysis and the league’s expansion strategy in her new role.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 17, 2024.
MAYERTHORPE, Alta. – An emergency alert has been issued in an area west of Edmonton for two armed men.
RCMP say the men are on foot after a robbery.
They say people in the area of Mayerthorpe should not open their doors to strangers or pick up hitchhikers.
They say the suspects are dangerous and should not be approached.
One man is described as white, about 30 years-old, five feet 11 inches tall, 205 pounds with dark hair and dark eyes, who was last seen wearing a cowboy hat and black sweater.
The other man is six feet tall, about 220 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes, wearing a black flat brim hat with red letters.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 17, 2024.
