Suspected mob boss Rocco Zito shot dead in Toronto home

Domenico Scopelliti, 51, is seen in this provided photo. (Toronto Police Services)

A 51-year-old man has surrendered to police after a reputed ex-mob boss was shot dead in his Toronto home, investigators say.

The shooting occurred in the basement of a home on Playfair Avenue near Caledonia Road at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Friday.

Police have identified the victim as 87-year-old Rocco Zito. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sources told CTV’s Tamara Cherry that Zito was a mob boss who had retired from his alleged involvement in organized crime.

Domenico Scopelliti, 51, surrendered to police at around midnight on Friday, and was charged with first-degree murder. None of the charges against him have been proven in court. Scopelliti is believed to be Zito’s son-in-law.

Investigators did not comment on a motive.

Sources say Zito had ties to the Calabrian mafia and was once a powerful figure in the organization. Sources say that Zito worked as an enforcer with the mob and once had ties with infamous Montreal Mafia leader Nicola Rizzuto.

Rizzuto was shot and killed inside his Montreal mansion in 2010.

Investigators have not commented on Zito’s reported involvement in organized crime or what they believe the motive for the shooting may have been.

Scopelliti appeared in court on Saturday morning. His next court date is set for mid-February.

With a report by CTV Toronto's Tamara Cherry