Vaughan café where shooting took place held illegal gambling operation

An illegal gaming operation was being run out of the back of the Vaughan café where a deadly shooting took place last month, York Regional Police said.

Police said it's "still under investigation" whether or not the gambling operation at the Moka Espresso Bar is connected to the June 24 shooting that left 47-year-old café employee Maria Voci and 24-year-old Christopher de Simone dead and two others seriously injured.

The gambling operation involved card tables, card games and electronic slot machines, police allege.

Police had said early in the investigation that the shooting likely wasn't random.

The suspected gunman, whose photo has been shared widely by police, is still on the loose.

York police said in a news release they've received a "significant number of tips" from the public about the suspect's identity and are encouraging the man to turn himself in immediately.

Homicide investigators are also asking anyone with information to contact them.