Reputed associate of ex-Mafia boss Vito Rizzuto killed in 'settling of accounts'

A man believed to have had close ties toformer crime boss Vito Rizzuto was gunned down in Laval on Saturday, in what police described as a "settling of accounts."

Vincenzo Spagnolo, 65, was killed at his home in the city's Vimont neighbourhood, sources told Radio-Canada.

Spagnoloreputedlyserved asRizzuto's right-hand man when he had control over the Montreal Mafia.

Rizzuto, the longtime patriarch of the Montreal Mafia,died of natural causes in 2013.

Andr Cdilot, an organized crime expert, said the pair met regularly when Rizzuto ran the city'sorganized crime circuit.

In the early 2000s, when Rizzutto was in prison, they kept in touch by phone, Cdilot said.

Sret du QubecSgt. Audrey-Anne Bilodeau said the shooting appeared to be linked to a "settling of accounts" within the Mafia.

Laval police were called to the scene at around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, and Quebec provincial police later took over the investigation.

A security perimeter was installed near the intersection of Arthur-Mignault and Antoine-Forestier streets.

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The Rizzuto crime family, once considered one of the most powerful in Canada,has been in an extended period of upheaval.

In May, anotherreputed high-ranking member,Rocco Sollecito,was gunned down in Laval.

Three months earlier, another allegedRizzutolieutenant,Lorenzo(Skunk)Giordano,was killed.

Leonardo Rizzuto, Vito Rizzuto's son, wasarrested in organized crime raids lastNovember.

His brother Nick Jr. and grandfatherNicolowereshot dead in separate incidents in 2010.