Toronto police arrest B.C. man in deadly patio shooting

Toronto police have arrested a British Columbia manin connection with the brazen daylight shooting death of a man in Little Italy earlier this week.

Det. Sgt. Terry Brownesaid in a news conference that Dean Wiwchar, 26, will appear in a Toronto courtroom Friday morning to face a charge of first-degree murder.

John Raposo, 35, was shot dead on the packed patio of the Sicilian Sidewalk Caf just after 3:30 p.m. on Monday.

A second man was injured in the shooting, but police said that Raposo was the target.

Wiwchar was taking a taxi downtown when he was arrested without incident near Parliament and Gerrardstreets, police said.

Hewas carrying "multiple identification," Browne said, but police believe that Dean Wiwchar is his real name.

Browne was vague on details,telling a news conference thatthe investigation was continuing and involved multiple police forces including York Regional Police and the RCMP. He called Wiwchar a "B.C. resident" but did not name a community, and said Wiwcharhad been in Toronto "a while."

"Weve made a quick arrest on this, and that is a direct result of many, many police agencies who have been assisting us from the get-go with information that they have," Browne said.

The investigation includes two properties north of the city, and Browne said they'll be "speaking to and looking at"other people.

"I don't know where the tentacles are going to take us," he said.

Shooter fled on foot

The caf, which is located near the corner of College Street and Montrose Avenue, wasfull of people who were watching the Italy-Ireland soccer matchat the time of the shooting.

A man shot Raposo in the head and then fled the scene on foot, according to police.

Police said the shooter wore a white construction helmet, an orange safety vest with a fluorescent green X on it and a white filter mask on his face.

Investigators believe he may have been in the vicinity of the caf for 15 to 30 minutes prior to the shooting.

Raposo left behind a child and a pregnant girlfriend.

Police sources have told CBC News that Raposo had dealings with the Mafia.

At the time of his death, Raposo wasfacing charges for assault and dangerous driving.

His funeral takes place Friday.