Two men arrested in a major crime sweep Wednesday have been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of 72-year-old Angelo D'Onofrio a year ago in Ahunstic-Cartierville.

Ebamba Ndutu Lufiau, 28, and Jeff Joubens Theus, 25, appeared in court in Montreal Thursday. They are to return to court on June 19.

D'Onofrio, 72, was shot to death outside the Hillside Café, also known as the Sinatra Café, on Fleury Street on June 2, 2016, in what police said at the time was a case of mistaken identity.

D'Onofrio's widow, Lina Simone, said there were articles written about him being involved in organized crime and it was hurtful to the family.

"One article screwed up a whole bunch of people for a God damn year. Nobody said I'm sorry," she told CBC outside the courtroom.

Simone said she was supposed to meet D'Onofrio at the café that day at the end of her work shift.

"He was just there because of me. And if he wasn't there that day, he would be alive today," she said in tears.

Ahuntsic shooting

Angelo D'Onofrio, 72, was shot to death in front of the Hillside Café, a.k.a. the Sinatra Café, in Ahuntsic-Cartierville on June 2, 2016. (Radio-Canada)

String of violent crimes

A total of nine men, all between the ages of 24 and 29, were arrested in Wednesday's police raids. Police also seized firearms, ammunition, cellphones and electronic material.

Those arrested all face a variety of charges, including arson, home invasion, fraud, conspiracy and weapons offences.

The other men who appeared in Montreal court today are:

  • Vladimir Laguerre, 27.
  • Leeroy Abraham, 25. 
  • Elvis Comoe, 28. 
  • Pawel Plachta, 25. 
  • Kens Emmanuel Noel, 24.
  • Yanick Pagé-Hamel, 26.
  • Alejandro Cuevas, 29.

Vincent Rozon, the head of the SPVM's major crimes unit, said Wednesday the crimes are apparently gang-related and could be linked to the Montreal Mafia.

Montreal police arrest

Vincent Rozon, head of the SPVM's major crimes unit, says the investigation into D'Onofrio's homicide allowed police to uncover several other violent crimes, seemingly gang-related.

He said in the course of investigating D'Onofrio's death, police were able to prevent several other crimes from being committed.

Rozon said the investigation continues.

With files from Derek Marinos and Elias Abboud