Toronto Police have identified Shane Kelter, 32, from Vancouver, as the victim of Sunday’s shooting at Bay and St. Joseph streets. Post-mortem results determined the cause of death as multiple gunshot wounds to the torso.
Detective Graham Gibson told the Toronto Star that investigators suspected the incident was a planned hit and not a typical gang shooting.
After partying with friends at Musik, a waterfront nightclub, Kelter stepped out of a limo in front of 1001 Bay at roughly 3:20 a.m. He was killed shortly after by an individual who police believe was waiting for him.
Witnesses reported seeing someone run down St. Joseph Street on Sunday morning and get into what may have been a black Honda Civic. A spokesperson for U of T confirmed that Campus Police were cooperating with investigators but declined to elaborate.
Toronto Police are still looking into whether a weapon found at Queen’s Park Crescent matches shell casings found at the scene of the crime.
Kelter was well-known to Vancouver Police and RCMP. He was charged in September 2008 by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency in an investigation called “Operation Candystore.” The indictment alleged that he oversaw a cross-border drug smuggling operation moving ecstasy, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Although a warrant was issued for his arrest in connection with that indictment, U.S. and Canadian authorities were still discussing whether to formally request extradition, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office told the Star. In the meantime, Kelter was appearing in Canadian courts for other offences.
Authorities also suspect that while he was not a member of any group himself, Kelter nevertheless had ties with some of Vancouver’s most dangerous gangs. Vancouver police announced earlier this year that they were in the midst of a gang war, although it remains uncertain whether this most recent shooting is related.
