A rare and tragic shooting in Montreal, Canada, on Monday left a police officer, a civilian, and the armed suspect dead. The incident, which unfolded in the diverse Côte-des-Neiges neighbourhood, has sent shockwaves through the city and marks the first time a Montreal police officer has been killed in the line of duty in nearly a quarter of a century. Montreal Police Chief Fady Dagher expressed profound grief at a press conference, describing the event as a 'nightmare'.
The deceased officer was identified as 34-year-old Mohamed Lamine Benredouane, who had served with the force since 2021. The Montreal police department announced it would fly its flags at half-mast in his honour, remembering him for his dedication and professionalism. The civilian victim was named as Michael Moshe Mizrahi, described by the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs as a 'beloved member of Montreal's Jewish community' and an 'innocent victim'. Police have not indicated that the attack was antisemitic.
The incident began after 11:30 EDT (15:30 GMT) when a witness reportedly saw a 'gun sticking out of a window', heard shots, and alerted authorities. Local resident Danny Wilk recounted hearing shots near his home and seeing the assailant, dressed in military clothing, appearing ready to fire, before witnessing the officer on the ground and the attacker subsequently shot by police. The unidentified male suspect, believed to have acted alone, was killed at the scene.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear, with Quebec's security minister stating that investigators are still working to understand the individual's intentions. Following the attack, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) reportedly issued an alert to other police forces across Canada, warning of a document that had allegedly been circulating, encouraging attacks on police officers. However, the BBC has not confirmed the existence of any such document related to this specific incident.
The shooting prompted significant disruption, with traffic halted on a nearby motorway and local metro services suspended. An emergency alert was issued to residents of Quebec, warning of an armed suspect at large, which was later lifted. Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his horror at the attack, extending his thoughts to the victims, their loved ones, and the first responders. Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada and Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette also offered their condolences, with the latter emphasising that 'such acts have no place here'.