http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/06/20/victim-in-little-italy-shooting-had-big-%C2%ADgambling-debts-source/


Victim in Little Italy shooting had ‘big’ gambling debts: source


His neighbours describe him as a friendly family man, but the victim of the brazen shooting outside a Little Italy ice-cream shop had a gambling habit and big debts, a police source said.

John Raposo, 35, was known as a “big shooter” in the gambling world, said the source, who is familiar with his history.

“He bet big and lost big,” the source said.

Mr. Raposo had recently placed wild bets on sports games with major underworld gambling operations and owed a significant amount of money, he said. Many of the city’s illicit gambling operations have ties to powerful figures in the local Mafia.

Mr. Raposo was shot dead while watching a soccer match on the patio of the Sicilian Sidewalk Café on Monday afternoon. Another man was wounded and is expected to recover.

The gunman disguised himself as a construction worker before opening fire, shooting Mr. Raposo in the head, and fleeing the scene.

Floral tributes rested outside the café Tuesday, while tables and chairs remained strewn around the blood-stained patio.