Driver accused in shooting death

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MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — A driver for Mississauga-based carrier Liquiterminals allegedly walked into the company’s office Friday and shot his boss, GM Mike O’Rourke, to death.

Jean Delagrave, 49, from Ottawa, has been charged with the first degree murder of O’Rourke and with the attempted murder of company dispatchers Jurgen Zimmerman and Michael Lloyd Bunney, currently recovering in hospital.

News reports indicated the shooting may have been linked to a dispute over money owed to the driver by the carrier.

Officials for the liquid bulk hauler, which owns about 50 power units and employs about that many drivers, primarily independent contractors, have yet to confirm or deny this report.

Delagrave’s defence lawyer, Gary Batasar, has also refused to comment on whether the company owed Delgrave money.
Delagrave is currently under suicide watch in a jail cell. He is slated to appear in Brampton court May 17.

According to news reports, the shooting occurred at approximately 11 a.m. Friday morning, when Delagrave allegedly walked into the Liquiterminal office at 2650 Windsor Drive, just east of Winston Churchill Blvd., and went directly to an office where he fired at least six shots, striking the three men.

O’Rourke, from Newmarket, reportedly died of gunshot wounds at the scene. “Red” Zimmerman , in his mid-50s was shot in the chest but is now recovering in hospital. Bunney had emergency surgery at Mississauga’s Trillium Health Centre to repair a bullet wound in his colon.

It took less than ten minutes, according to news reports.Delgrave reportedly then left the building.

He was already walking along Royal Windsor Dr. and into the Clarkson community policing station nearby when police arrived at the scene. Delagrave turned himself in about 20 minutes after the shooting according to news reports.

A handgun which police believe may have been used in the shootings was located shortly thereafter.

The Liquiterminal office reopened today, but company officials were unavailable for comment.

O’Rourke, who was 48 years old, is survived by his wife Anna, his daughter Lindsay, 20, and his son McKenzie, 12.
Visitation for O’Rourke will be held at the Taylor Funeral Home Newmarket Chapel, 524 Davis Drive, Tues. May 11, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. (A Masonic service will start at 7 p.m.)

Visitation will continue Wed. May 12,9:30 – 11 a.m.
The funeral will follow, at St. John Chrystosom Roman Catholic Church at noon, followed by burial at the Newmarket Cemetary.

Memorial donations can be made to the Shriners Children’s Hospital. Friends are also invited to sign an online book of condolences at www.taylorfuneralhomenewmarket.com

– With files from the Toronto Star

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