Man slain in Little Italy shooting faced charges

The man shot on a crowded patio in Toronto’s Little Italy neighbourhood had outstanding criminal charges at the time of his death and alleged dealings with the underworld.

CBC News has learned that John Raposo, 35, was the man slain on the patio of the Sicilian Sidewalk Café on Monday afternoon.

Police sources have told CBC News that Raposo had dealings with the Mafia, but was not a made member.

At the time of his death, Raposo was facing charges for assault and dangerous driving.

Raposo left behind a child and a pregnant girlfriend. They lived in a house in the west end. Other relatives of the victim lived close to the scene of the shooting.

Neighbours who spoke to CBC News said they believed that Raposo worked in construction.

Police also provided more details about the suspect they are seeking in connection with the shooting.

Det. Sgt. Terry Browne told reporters late Tuesday afternoon that the suspect may have been in the vicinity for 15 to 30 minutes before the shooting occurred.

Browne said police have obtained security video from the area of the shooting that captured "segments of this person’s movements."

Police previously said they are seeking a white male suspect with a medium build who is approximately six feet tall and has shoulder-length blond hair.

The suspect wore a white construction helmet, an orange safety vest with a green fluorescent X on both sides and a white filter mask when the shooting occurred at the patio near the corner of College Street and Montrose Avenue. He was last seen running from the scene.

Browne said police have heard conflicting reports about which direction the suspect fled. Police do not have knowledge of a specific vehicle that he got into.

Toronto police tweeted a reminder to local residents Tuesday to check their property "for anything that could be related to [the] homicide."

Residents are advised not to touch any potential evidence, but to call police instead.

Police believe Raposo was the shooter's intended target.

The Sicilian Sidewalk Café had been filled with patrons watching the Italy-Ireland soccer match on Monday afternoon.