The streets of Montreal's Côte-des-Neiges neighbourhood turned into a battleground on Monday, as a shooting incident at a hotel left three people dead, including a police officer and a civilian, in what authorities have described as a "nightmare" scenario. The suspect, who was armed with a long gun, was killed by officers returning fire. A second police officer sustained serious injuries but is reported to be in a stable condition.
Montreal Police Chief Fady Dagher's words captured the gravity of the situation, noting that it had been 24 years since one of his officers was killed in the line of duty. The deceased officer has been identified as Constable Mohamed Lamine Benredouan, aged 34, who joined the force in 2021.
Emergency services were alerted at around 11:35 BST (06:35 local time) after a report of a person displaying a gun from a window at the Hilton hotel. When police officers arrived on the scene, they were met with gunfire, and an exchange between police and the suspect ensued. Footage circulating on social media appears to show the suspect, armed with a long gun and wearing olive-coloured clothing, outside the hotel.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with numerous gunshots ringing out. Jacob Coutu, who was working nearby, reported hearing "four or five gunshots" followed by the arrival of police officers and further gunfire. He estimated that he heard between 30 and 40 gunshots in total. Another resident, Danny Wilk, witnessed the events unfold, stating he saw the shooter dressed in what appeared to be military clothing before observing the officer on the ground.
While the shooting took place in a predominantly Jewish neighbourhood, police have declined to comment on a possible motive, citing that the matter is under investigation by an independent watchdog. The Quebec domestic security minister, Ian Lafrenière, confirmed that multiple agencies, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), were consulted and concluded that the incident was not a terrorist attack.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his horror at the violence, while Montreal's Mayor Valérie Plante acknowledged the impact of the shooting on the community. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to determine the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.
The shooting in Montreal raises concerns about public safety and security not only in Canada but also in the UK. The incident highlights the need for robust measures to protect communities from such incidents. The British government has been monitoring the situation closely and is awaiting further updates from their Canadian counterparts.