Business leaders in Little Italy speak out following shooting

TORONTO, Ont. – Business leaders in the College and Ossington area – home to a deadly shooting earlier in the week – are trying to assure everyone that any mob connections the victim may have had, are not a reflection of the community.

“To label Little Italy or Italians as part of an organized crime syndicate is really unfair. It’s very unfair to paint a community with a broad brush like that,” said Little Italy BIA Chairperson Lenny Lombardi in Johnny Lombardi Square. Wednesday afternoon.

“We’re upset with it, but you know what? Italians are thick-skinned and we’ve got more better qualities to offer than I think hurtful stereotypes.”  

Meanwhile, the owner of the Sicilian Sidewalk Cafe – where the shooting took place – hopes to reopen the establishment by the end of the week.

“I can only express how devastated we are by this incident, and extend our heartfelt sympathies to the victims and their families,” Maria Galipo told 680News, saying the murder left staff and customers shaken, but they plan to put the trauma behind them.

“I hope we can work through this and emerge more determined than ever to maintain the welcoming spirit and unique personality that represents us,” she said.

While Toronto Police have wrapped up their investigation at the cafe, they are still hunting for the man behind the targeted shooting, which killed John Raposo following a gunshot to the head. There are reports he may have had ties to organized crime but did not belong to a group himself.

They say the man wounded in the incident was not the gunman’s intended target, and he was only shot because he was in the general area. He is expected to survive.

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