Vaughan slaying eyed as targeted hit

VAUGHAN - A man shot dead outside a Vaughan cafe Thursday was the target of a hit, sources have told the Toronto Sun.

Witnesses told police they heard multiple gunshots outside of Regina Cafe at 140 Regina Rd., an industrial and retail plaza complex in the Hwy. 7 and Martin Grove Rd. area after 2 p.m. A man in his late 50s was pronounced dead at the scene.

However, police are saying it is “too early to tell” whether the victim was targeted.

“We don’t have any suspect information at this point,” York Regional Police Const. Andy Pattenden at the scene. “All that we basically have is we’re looking for at least one male. It’s quite vague at this point.”

Police are looking for a grey compact vehicle that may have fled the scene “at a high rate of speed,” but Pattenden wouldn’t call the homicide a drive-by shooting.

The body was removed from the scene just before 7 p.m.

According to the source, the victim is known to police, as is the cafe that was often frequented by people “of questionable character.” Organized crime figures have been seen at the cafe in the past.

Nico Rosano, the owner of the adjacent Regina Auto Centre, said the Regina Cafe used to be Kappa Sports Bar and Grill, a family-run social club until two or three years ago.

“I would imagine now is the same thing, but I haven’t been here in years. Probably now members only,” he said. “I was very surprised, I was shocked when I heard.”

A man named Enrico at ECP Precision inside the plaza said he didn’t hear any gunfire, but that particular cafe had changed owners several times over the past few years.

“I have no idea what goes on in there,” he said. “It’s just like all the other hangouts in the area. It’s a social gathering place.”

An orange tarp covered the body throughout the early afternoon, and then later a blue tarp was put up as forensics and the coroner performed their investigation.

Workers from surrounding businesses had to give their identification to police before being allowed to leave the area.

The area will be closed for “about a day while evidence is gathered and the scene is processed,” Pattenden said.

Anyone with information can contact Homicide detectives at 1-866-876-5423 ext. 7865, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Check below for updates from the scene.
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