Early one Sunday morning in March, around 5 a. m., a gunman exited a car on a quiet street close to the waterfront in Oakville. He opened fire almost immediately.
An accomplice stood beside him, seemingly recording the attack on his phone while the gunman aimed at a stone house with a double-car garage, according to neighbors who later reviewed their security footage of the event.
Suddenly, there was a flash from across the street. Someone began shooting at them. They ran off.
Neighbors reported that one suspect jumped back into the vehicle and took off. The other, who had been shot during the chaos, crawled along the ground, leaving behind bloodstains. Police quickly descended upon the area and apprehended the injured suspect.
At first, locals were baffled by what had occurred. The incident seemed similar to an ongoing series of attacks targeting homes belonging to executives connected with GFL Environmental, the large waste management company responsible for most of Toronto’s recycling and garbage collection.
However, there was one key difference in Oakville: the owners of that stone house had no known connections to GFL.
Months later, it became clear that this job was poorly executed. A former GFL employee believed to be the actual target lived directly across the street. Police informed several neighbors that they thought this error might have happened due to confusion with Google Maps.
The incident in Oakville seems part of a larger pattern of errors and failed shootings that eventually led investigators to uncover an alleged hitman network paying teenagers less than $1,000 per assignment, sources tell the Star. (The Star has chosen not to disclose these sources’ names as they are familiar with ongoing investigations but weren’t authorized to speak publicly about them.)
This network is now believed responsible for some of Toronto’s most high-profile shootings in recent times, including a March attack on the U. S. consulate. Last week, police carried out a raid related to this investigation during which Toronto officer Marc Pinizzotto tragically lost his life.
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A Week Full of Violence
At the beginning of this year, it looked like attacks against GFL had finally ceased. A year had passed since a wave of assaults targeted properties linked with GFL in 2024; among these was a late-night shooting damaging GFL founder and CEO Patrick Dovigi’s Rosedale mansion. The motives behind these attacks remained unclear at that time. In an interview with shortly after September’s assault in 2024, Dovigi brushed aside any suggestions connecting organized crime with his business as mere fantasies inspired by TV shows. “I’ve been in business for 20 years. Who’s going to scare me? This is not ‘The Sopranos,’” he stated soon after that incident. As months passed without further incidents against GFL properties or arrests made public by authorities regarding suspects involved, it seemed like this mystery might never be solved. Then came March when attacks resumed again. In just one week alone, shots were fired twice into GFL’s Weston Road facility followed about two weeks later by another shooting targeting its Aurora operations branch. The focus then shifted towards executives affiliated with Green Infrastructure Partners (GIP), which is part-owned by GFL. On March 22nd , someone fired at Sean Goldberg’s Cedarvale home smashing both front and back windows; thankfully no injuries occurred during this assault. Just three days later came another shooting aimed at Paul Borrelli’s residence located in Woodbridge where he serves as an executive for GIP. A security guard working at Borrelli’s house pursued two shooters speeding down his driveway resulting in collision with their getaway car before they fled on foot abandoning evidence left behind according source knowledgeable about events surrounding case details provided exclusively for publication purposes here today only! This marked significant progress towards cracking open larger conspiracies hidden beneath surface level distractions often found within criminal underworld scenes lurking nearby our communities everywhere today! “That was definitely first crack leading us closer toward unraveling web intricately woven throughout city streets,” said insider commenting anonymously here so far away from scene unfolding around them daily right now too!” The first suspect arrested near crime scene turned out later also implicated alongside others charged weeks following initial outbreak involving Borrelli household somehow emerging as targets placed under duress recently however still pending legal proceedings ahead.”Bizarre Actions Taken
A few days afterward brought investigators yet another breakthrough moment arrived! On March 26th , two suspects unleashed bullets into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym situated Etobicoke causing storefront windows explode outwardly creating panic all around! Afterward fleeing via automobile hitting gas pedal hard until careening down Lake Shore Boulevard West where police subsequently chased down vehicle before ultimately crashing onto road somewhere nearby ultimately abandoning ride while escaping on foot once again!” The owner expressed shock saying “this felt like random crazy action” given how unexpected such violence erupted amidst peaceful community settings usually characterized friendship & warmth shared amongst neighbors alike previously enjoyed prior moments spent together.” Tellingly enough latter reports indicated shooter(s) initially intended strike against different neighboring business accidentally hitting gym instead thus revealing sheer randomness underpinning entire scenario playing out right before eyes watching closely throughout ordeal unfolding day-by-day respectively now !”Mistaken Targeting
Investigators learned soon afterwards property owner affected explained how their home mistakenly came under fire given attackers meant target actually belonged Pasquale (“Pat”) Luongo – veteran waste management industry professional residing directly opposite location itself formerly affiliated briefly beforehand while working alongside firm named above earlier mentioned here already.” However attorney representing Luongo clarified client doesn’t hold any executive positions nor shares whatsoever within organization either presently or past accordingly.” Upon reviewing available footage captured via surveillance devices showed vehicle parked prominently outside Luongo’s residence outfitted brightly lit headlights illuminating night sky clearly visible across distance separating each structure together forming backdrop wherein ensuing conflict played out subsequently witnessed firsthand afterwards too!” After assailants started firing off rounds directed oppositely positioned across street away from security detail assigned watching over premises located nearby then flashes emitted originating point sourced from guard vehicle stationed safely observing closely everything happening.” #Source link
