A 35-year-old man, known to the police and believed to be involved in the world of car theft, was the victim of an attempted murder in the middle of the afternoon, Friday, in a parking lot at a busy intersection in Laval.
The man was sitting in his luxury Mercedes SUV, in the parking lot of a restaurant located on Boulevard de l’Avenir, at the corner of Boulevard Saint-Martin, around 1:05 p.m., when a suspect allegedly approached his vehicle on foot and opened fire in his direction several times.
The victim was not seriously injured despite the numerous projectiles fired in his direction.
“The man was transported to a hospital where his life is not in danger. Major Crimes investigators from the Laval Police Department (SPL) were dispatched to the scene,” described SPL spokesperson Stéphanie Beshara.
According to sources, two individuals took part in the attack: a shooter and a driver. The suspects reportedly fled in a black car. It was allegedly found, set on fire, a little more than five kilometers from the crime scene, parked in front of a park, rue de Berne, in the Auteuil district.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
This car, which could be linked to the crime, was found partially burned on rue de Berne, in the Auteuil district of Laval.
Vehicle theft and extortion
According to our information, the victim is Ali Chaaban. The man has no criminal record, but is, according to the police, part of a network involved in vehicle thefts and extortion against cafe and restaurant owners.
This network also allegedly maintains links with members of street gangs known for their violence.
According to our research, the victim owns establishments with alcohol licenses and used vehicle and vehicle import and export businesses.
To contact Daniel Renaud, call 514 285-7000, ext. 4918, write to [email protected] or write to the postal address of The Press.