Killer hid in bushes, waiting to shoot Hamilton man

Police are probing whether ties with people involved in traditional organized crime are behind the killing

A Hamilton entrepreneur and real estate agent with associates in organized crime was shot dead as he walked into his Ancaster home in a “targeted” killing.

The killer hid in bushes and lay in wait for Albert Iavarone to return home Thursday night, Det. Sgt. Peter Thom said Friday.

The 50-year-old was shot around 9:55 p.m. as he walked from his car, which was parked outside 32 Sunflower Cres. in Ancaster’s quiet Scenic Woods neighbourhood.

Police have described the killer only as a man who drove a silver car.

“It was definitely targeted. This individual set out to accomplish a task and that task was to kill Mr. Iavarone and he obviously succeeded,” Thom said.

Iavarone’s wife and two children were in the house at the time and it was family who made the 911 call.

When emergency services arrived, they found Iavarone at the entrance of his home with a gunshot wound to the upper body. Despite paramedics’ efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Mr. Iavarone had no criminal record but he is known to police as he is associated to individuals involved in traditional organized crime in the Hamilton area,” Thom said.

Detectives are investigating whether this was a factor in his murder but do not yet know a motive.

Thom wouldn’t specify which organized crime groups or people Iavarone was connected to or whether the connection was business or personal.

Thom is also the case manager of the investigation into the May 2, 2017 murder of Angelo Musitano, who was shot in the driveway of his Waterdown home. He said it’s “a possibility” the two murders are linked, adding detectives are “keeping all options open.”

Police believe Musitano was shot by a hit man, who was also responsible for the shooting death of a woman in York Region two months earlier.

In the latest murder, Hamilton police will again speak with investigators in other jurisdictions to look for ties.

In the last two years there has been a surge in Mafia-related crimes , including murders, bombings and arsons, in the Hamilton and the Greater Toronto Area.

Just two weeks after Angelo Musitano’s murder, the Hamilton home of his elder brother, Pasquale (Pat) Musitano, was sprayed with bullets.

No one was injured, but the shooting was seen as a warning shot to the reputed family crime boss.

“It’s our belief that there is something going on in the underworld, maybe a power struggle,” Thom said.

“I’m not sure that this particular case factors into that, but that’s certainly something that we’re alive to.”

In the Ancaster case, police have gathered surveillance video, including from the victim’s home. Unlike the Musitanos, Iavarone’s family has been co-operative with investigators.

So far, police know the shooter drove onto Sunflower Crescent, which is northeast of Mohawk Road West and Scenic Drive.

From the south end of the street, he did a three-point turn in front of the Iavarone home, parked and got out.

The shooter hid in the bushes “for an extended period of time” until the victim came home, walked up and shot him. He drove away in the silver car, heading in the same direction he’d come from.

Detectives and forensic officers searched the home Friday with police tape blocking access.