Tensions in the Montreal underworld have reached a boiling point after a brazen assassination attempt targeted the alleged leadership of the Rizzuto crime family inside the Rivière-des-Prairies detention centre.

New details emerging on Monday confirm that the shooting, which occurred over the weekend, was a calculated hit involving military-grade weaponry. Investigators searching a wooded area near the prison discovered an AR-15 assault rifle, shell casings, and—chillingly—printed photographs of alleged Mafia head Leonardo Rizzuto.

The Saturday Ambush

The incident unfolded around 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 6, while inmates were in the outdoor courtyard. Sources indicate that Leonardo Rizzuto, 56, and other associates arrested in last June’s “Project Alliance” sweep were present in the yard when shots rang out.

While no injuries were reported, the message was unmistakable. “This wasn’t a warning shot; it was a hunting trip,” said one police source speaking on condition of anonymity.

Minutes after the gunfire, emergency crews responded to a vehicle fire near the intersection of Gouin Boulevard West and Trefflé-Berthiaume Street, roughly four kilometres from the jail. Police believe this was the getaway car, torched to destroy DNA evidence—a hallmark of professional contract hits in the ongoing gang war.

“Explosive Tension” Inside Walls

The attack has sent shockwaves through Quebec’s correctional system. On Monday, the union representing correctional officers (Syndicat des agents de la paix en services correctionnels du Québec–CSN) issued a stark warning that the conflict on the streets is now destabilizing the prisons.

“We are witnessing a climate of explosive tension,” said Mathieu Lavoie, the union’s national president. He described the event as “unprecedented,” noting that the influx of high-ranking organized crime figures following recent police crackdowns has turned detention centres into powder kegs.

Lavoie called for immediate measures to ensure the safety of staff and inmates, emphasizing the unprecedented nature of the breach.

High-Value Targets Moved

In response to the security breach, authorities reportedly transferred the targeted individuals—including Rizzuto—to the Bordeaux jail (Montreal Detention Centre) late Sunday evening. The transfer is intended to separate the warring factions and allow for tighter security protocols.

Leonardo Rizzuto, the youngest son of the late godfather Vito Rizzuto, has been detained since June, charged with gangsterism and conspiracy to commit murder. His arrest was seen as a major blow to the traditional Mafia, potentially creating a power vacuum that rival factions and street gangs are now violently competing to fill.

Investigation Continues

The Montreal Police (SPVM) Major Crimes Unit is leading the investigation. Forensic analysis of the recovered AR-15 is underway to determine if it is linked to other recent shootings in the Greater Montreal Area.

As of Monday morning, no arrests have been made in connection with the prison shooting.