TORONTO – Greek-Canadian tech entrepreneur Matthew Staikos, age 37, was shot to death on May 28 in front of the Bay St. Pusateri’s in the Yorkville neighborhood of Toronto, the Toronto Sun reported. On June 1, a video released by the police showed the gunman fleeing the scene in “a silver or grey newer model Mercedes” with four doors and “the car sped southbound,” the Sun reported.
There appears to be no motive for the murder which has left the more questions than answers so far for the family, friends, and investigators.
Det. Omar Khan told the media, the Sun reported, “This was an unprovoked attack on a defenseless man,” adding that Staikos’ family is “trying to come to terms with his murder but they also can’t fathom why,” and “We hope we can get them answers.”
The Toronto Sun reported “that Staikos was honest, hard-working and well-liked,” and
“Khan said there is no doubt the gunman intended to kill Staikos, but he would not say whether the Belleville-area native was targeted.”
“As far as a motive is concerned, I don’t want to speculate,” he said. “There’s no reason to believe (the gunman and Staikos) knew each other,” the Sun reported.
Khan noted that a “male companion has been ‘very cooperative’” and there was no event that provoked the violence.
Staikos was shot in the head and back, “consistent with a professional hit,” the Sun reported.
The son of Nick Staikos, a Belleville-based home builder and developer, Matthew Staikos “was a graduate of the mechanical and computer engineering program at the University of Toronto. His Facebook page says he is the CEO of the Internet messaging site Vleepo,” the Toronto Sun reported, adding that Staikos “worked closely with his brother George.”
He had been in a long-term relationship with girlfriend Evangeline Giannoulis, though the two were not married.
Posts on social media reflected the shock over the murder, including this post on Giannoulis Facebook page by Fotoula Macgregor, the Sun reported, “This is so deeply upsetting. My thoughts and prayers are with you and his family. I am at a loss for words.”
Staikos is survived by his parents Nick and Gale (nee Brummell), brother George and sister-in-law Christina (nee Grivakis), grandmother Fern Brummell, girlfriend Evangeline Giannoulis, and many nieces and nephews, as the Toronto Star reported.
The visitation was held at the John R. Bush Funeral Home in Belleville on June 1. The funeral service was held in the chapel on June 2 with a reception at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Trenton. On June 22, a celebration of Matthew’s life will be held in Toronto at the Aria Ballroom, Four Seasons Hotel. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. For online condolences, please visit rushnellfamilyservices.com, the Star reported.
“Cops describe the shooter as black, 5-foot-10, with a medium build and in his mid to late 20s to late 30s,” the Sun reported, adding that “anyone with information should call police at 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).”
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