Laval police seek 3 suspects in connection with murder

Police are looking forthree suspectsin connection with a Laval fatal shooting tied to organized crime.

The Sretdu Qubec says at least three people were inside a silver Pontiac Montana minivan that was spotted leaving a restaurant parking lot where54-year-old RogerValiquette was gunned down.

Valiquettehad known links to the Mafia and organized crime.

He was a business associate of Tonino Callocchia, a construction entrepreneur who was also shot in the parking lot of a Laval restaurant earlier this year but survived.

Callocchia is also believed to have strong ties to Montreal's Italian Mafia.

Police are waiting to speak with other witnesses to Valiquette'sshooting.

Police received numerous calls yesterday just before 4 p.m. Wednesday from people reporting gunshots. Police found Valiquette in the parking lot of a St-Hubert restaurant on Dagenais Boulevard, in the district of Fabreville.

Montreal mafia expert Andr Cdilot, co-author of Mafia Inc.: The Long, Bloody Reign of Canada's Sicilian Clan, told CBC News that Valiquette'shomicideis part of a struggle for power in the Montreal Mafia sparked by mob boss Vito Rizzuto's release from prison in 2012.

"[Valiquette's murder] is linked of the reorganization of the Mafia in Montreal," he said. "Vito Rizzuto is back and he's trying to regain power."