A police officer, a bystander, and one suspect are dead after a shooting in a Montreal neighbourhood that resulted in a shelter in place warning for nearby residents.
The police officer, identified as 34-year-old Mohamed Lamine Benredouane, and a bystander both succumbed to their injuries following the shooting on June 22, Montreal City Police Service (SPVM) said.
SPVM Chief Fady Dagher said at a press conference that a female officer was taken to hospital with critical injuries but has since been stabilized, and a second civilian sustained minor injuries.
Dagher said “the main suspect” was dead and the “immediate threat has been neutralized.”
Meanwhile, police in British Columbia were told of the possibility of “documentation or some type of manifesto” calling for police to be targeted with violence, the Surrey Police Service said. A spokesperson with the police force said that the warning was issued by an RCMP intelligence unit operating out of the RCMP B.C. headquarters on June 22 following the “tragic events” in Montreal.
‘Tragedy’
Officers responded to the Hilton Garden Inn on Décarie Boulevard in the Côte-des-Neiges borough after receiving a 911 call at 11:35 a.m. that shots had been fired, Dagher said. The officers were fired on as soon as they arrived at the scene.Dagher described the situation as a “tragedy” and a “nightmare” and noted that the shooter’s motives remain under investigation.
Dagher declined to comment on whether the incident was an ambush or whether police had received a manifesto, but he told reporters a weapon used by the suspect had been seized.
Police have not released any information about other suspects and the emergency alert issued earlier in connection with an armed and dangerous suspect in the community has been lifted.
Police had asked anyone within the borders of Côte-des-Neiges Road, MacDonald Street, Highway 40 and Queen Mary to shelter in place, but police say there is no longer any immediate threat to the public.
While the emergency advisory has been lifted, officers remain in the area as the investigation continues.
“Right now we have no information that there are other incidents, but for precaution we extended the crime scene to ensure the situation is under control,” Dagher said.
He said his troops have his complete admiration, adding that they perform “extraordinary work” at the risk of their lives.
The death of the officer on June 22 is the first in nearly a quarter of a century for the Montreal force, Dagher said. In 2002, 29-year-old officer Benoît L'Ecuyer was shot and killed after chasing a speeding car.
Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette said she is “deeply shaken” by the day’s events.
“My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, the individuals who were injured, members of the police service, and everyone affected by this tragedy,” she said in a social media post. “The Government of Quebec is offering its full cooperation to the authorities involved and will remain present to support the victims, their loved ones, and the community.”
Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada expressed condolences to the families of the shooting victims via social media.
“My deepest condolences to the family, loved ones, and colleagues of the police officer who died in the line of duty in Côte-des-Neiges,” she said on X. “My thoughts are also with all those affected by this tragedy.”
The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
