Montreal Shooting: Officer, Civilian, and Suspect Dead in Côte-des-Neiges Incident
"A nightmare" — Montreal Police Chief Fady Dagher described the events that unfolded Monday morning in Montreal's Côte-des-Neiges borough.
A shooting incident on Monday resulted in the deaths of a police officer, a civilian, and the suspect. A second police officer was injured and later reported in stable condition.
Timeline of Events
11:35 a.m. (approx.)
Emergency services received a 911 call reporting a person with a gun at a hotel on Décarie Boulevard. Other reports indicated a person sticking a gun out of an upper-floor window at the Hilton Garden Inn Montreal Midtown.
Police Response
Upon arrival, officers encountered the suspect on the ground. Gunfire was exchanged.
Casualties
- Deceased Officer: Constable Mohamed Lamine Benredouane, 34, who joined the police service in 2021. This is the first line-of-duty death of a Montreal police officer in 24 years.
- Deceased Civilian: A male civilian was killed at the scene. The identity has not been officially released by police. The individual who fired the fatal shot has not been confirmed.
- Deceased Suspect: The male suspect was fatally shot by police at the scene.
- Injured Officer: A second police officer was hospitalized in critical condition but has since been stabilized.
Aftermath
- A security perimeter was established and a shelter-in-place order was issued for the area, which was lifted after 3 p.m.
- The Décarie expressway and parts of two subway lines were temporarily closed.
Investigation and Motive
Investigation Authority
Quebec's independent police watchdog, the Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes, is investigating the officers' response, as is standard procedure for incidents involving police-caused injuries or deaths.
Suspect and Motive
- Police believe the suspect acted alone.
- Police recovered a long gun (described as a semi-automatic rifle) at the scene.
- Authorities are examining a 100-page document believed to have been written by the suspect, which reportedly espouses incel ideology.
- Following the event, police in British Columbia issued a warning that forces were notified of possible "documentation or some type of manifesto" calling for violence against police.
- Quebec Domestic Security Minister Ian Lafrenière confirmed that multiple agencies, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), were consulted and concluded the shooting is not considered a terrorist attack.
Weaponry and Witness Accounts
The suspect was reportedly armed with a long gun and wore camouflaged clothing. A cellphone video verified by a news outlet shows an individual in fatigues exchanging gunfire with police. Witnesses reported hearing up to 30 to 40 gunshots.
Official Statements
Montreal Police Chief Fady Dagher: Described the event as a "tragedy" and a "nightmare," and stated he did not know who fired the shot that killed the civilian.
Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette: Said she was "deeply shaken by the tragic events" and urged the public to "avoid any speculation."
Quebec Domestic Security Minister Ian Lafrenière: Urged the public not to share footage of the shooting out of respect for the deceased.
Public Response
- An emergency alert was issued asking residents to shelter in place.
- The suspect's identity and motive have not been released by officials.
- Videos of the shooting circulated on social media. Officials requested the public not to share them.
- Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette requested flags be lowered to half-staff.