Montreal Mafia godfather is gunned down

AN ALLEGED Mafia godfather has been gunned down in his Canadian home.

Nicollo Rizzuto, 86, was shot at least once, police in Montreal said, and was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at hospital.

Police commander Denis Mainville said Mr Rizzuto's position in his crime family had recently changed, but he had remained a revered figure.

"We know Mr Rizzuto was an important member of the Italian Mafia, but new players have surfaced in recent months," Mr Mainville said.

Mr Rizzuto's son, Vito, is in prison in Colorado for racketeering related to three Mafia murders. Police said they would be open to meeting with him about a series of attacks against his clan.

The Rizzutos came to prominence in Montreal after ousting the Cotroni family, their Calabrian rivals, in a violent 1970s coup.

The family held sway for years, with influence over an untold number of legitimate businesses, including bars, restaurants and construction companies.

However, the Mafia in Canada was brought to its knees in a massive 2006 police operation in which scores of alleged mobsters were arrested.

In the past year, the Rizzuto family and its associates have been targeted in a series of killings, which crime analysts believe constitute an attempt to end its hold on power.