GFL shooting may have led Toronto cops to gun-for-hire group

Toronto police have uncovered a “multi-layered” gun-for-hire network that employed teenagers to carry out at least 27 shootings across the Greater Toronto Area, according to investigators. The network paid shooters under $1,000 per job and is linked to the death of Toronto officer Marc Pinizzotto during a June 11 raid, as well as multiple attacks on executives linked to GFL Environmental.

How did a “bungled” Oakville shooting expose the network?

A March 29 shooting in Oakville targeted the wrong residence due to what police believe was a Google Maps mix-up. A gunman opened fire on a stone house with a double-car garage while an accomplice filmed the attack on a phone, according to neighbors’ security footage.

Police told neighbors the intended target was actually Pasquale (Pat) Luongo, a former GFL employee who lived across the street. Luongo’s lawyer stated her client is not an executive, shareholder, or director of GFL.

The attack ended when a security guard parked in Luongo’s driveway fired back at the pair. One suspect, 18-year-old Jayon Burgher, was arrested at the scene with a gunshot wound, according to Halton police.

Did You Know? Shooters in this network were required to provide video evidence that the job was completed before they could receive their payment.

Who were the intended targets of the shootings?

Many of the attacks targeted individuals and facilities linked to GFL Environmental, a waste management firm. This included a shooting at the Rosedale mansion of CEO Patrick Dovigi in September 2024, as well as attacks on GFL facilities on Weston Road and in Aurora.

Targets also included executives at Green Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a firm part-owned by GFL. On March 22, shots were fired at the Cedarvale home of GIP’s Sean Goldberg, and three days later, a shooting occurred at the Woodbridge home of GIP executive Paul Borrelli.

Some attacks were entirely mistaken. On March 26, shooters fired into a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym in Etobicoke. Investigators later stated the shooters intended to hit a neighboring business, according to the gym’s owner.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the use of teenagers paid small sums suggests a low-barrier recruitment strategy. By utilizing a middleman to insulate clients from the shooters, the network created a layer of separation that could make identifying the primary financiers more difficult for investigators.

What is the “multi-layered” gun-for-hire system?

Investigators believe clients hired a middleman who then assigned teenagers to carry out the shootings. According to Toronto police, these shooters were typically paid less than $1,000 per job.

This modus operandi is linked to high-profile incidents, including a March attack on the U.S. consulate. The network’s operations were further exposed after a security guard at Paul Borrelli’s home crashed into a suspects’ getaway car, leaving behind a “trove of evidence,” according to a source.

What happened during the June 11 police raid?

Toronto’s Emergency Task Force executed a “high-risk takedown” at a North York apartment complex on June 11. During the raid, 19-year-old Nicholas Bennett is accused of firing a single shot that killed 43-year-old officer Marc Pinizzotto.

Toronto police link several shootings to gun-for-hire networks

Bennett faces a charge of first-degree murder for the killing of Pinizzotto and additional charges related to the Etobicoke gym shooting. Police believe Bennett may have also worked with Jayon Burgher during the Oakville incident, though Bennett has not been charged in that specific case.

What may happen next in the investigation?

Police may continue to seek the identity of the middleman and the clients who paid for the shootings, as these individuals have not yet been named. A second suspect in the Oakville shooting remains outstanding according to Halton police.

Legal proceedings are likely to continue for the accused teenagers. Nicholas Bennett made his first court appearance while intubated in a hospital following injuries sustained during the June 11 raid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Nicholas Bennett?
Bennett is a 19-year-old accused of first-degree murder in the death of Officer Marc Pinizzotto and facing charges in connection to the Etobicoke gym shooting.

Why was the Oakville home targeted by mistake?
Police believe a mix-up with Google Maps led shooters to target a stone house instead of the home of Pat Luongo, which was located directly across the street.

How many shootings are linked to this network?
Authorities have linked this specific modus operandi to at least 27 shootings across the Greater Toronto Area.

Do you think the use of low-cost “gun-for-hire” networks will change how city police approach residential security?