Posted February 7, 2001
FORT LAUDERDALE -- A well-known South Florida entrepreneur was gunned down in the streets of Fort Lauderdale Tuesday night, and detectives say that the killing was a well-planned hit.

Gus Boulis, 51, was the founder of Miami Subs and the controversial SunCruz line of casino boats. Police say that Boulis was driving his BMW near the 2000 block of Miami Road when a vehicle cut him off. Seconds later a Ford Mustang pulled up next to Boulis’ car, and one of two men inside fired several shots into Boulis’ car before both cars sped away, according to investigators.

"They probably knew who he was," Fort Lauderdale police Detective Mike Reed said of the gunmen. "They were probably waiting. This victim was set up."

Boulis (pictured, left file photo) emigrated from Greece and built an empire of gambling boats, hotels, and restaurants, including the national chain of Miami Subs. SunCruz, which was founded in 1994 with just one ship, grew to become the largest operator of casino gaming ships in Florida. In 1998, the cruise-to-nowhere line was investigated by the state under suspicion of allowing gambling within the three-mile no-gambling zone off the coast. State agents seized slot machines and approximately $1 million in cash from three SunCruz ships. A judge ruled there was not enough evidence to support the state’s case, and the machines and money were returned to Bolis.

Investigators said that after he was shot Tuesday night, Boulis’ car rolled a few hundred feet before crashing into a tree in front of a Miami Subs restaurant. Emergency workers tried to resuscitate Boulis at the scene. He was pronounced dead after being rushed to Broward General Medical Center.

Although there were several witnesses to the shooting, investigators need your help. If you have any information about the attack, call (954) 493-TIPS.