Montreal: The police chief of the Canadian city of Montreal announced that a police officer and a civilian were killed in a shooting incident in the Cote-des-Neiges borough, with the male suspect being “neutralized.” The incident unfolded on Monday, marking a tragic day for the city.
According to Anadolu Agency, the shooting began around 11:35 am local time when officers responded to a call and engaged in a gunfire exchange with a suspect on the street. The exchange resulted in the deaths of a police officer and a civilian. Police Chief Fady Dagher described the event as a “tragedy” and one of the worst nightmares of his tenure. The suspect’s motive remains unclear, and investigators are determining whether he acted alone.
The police operation is ongoing, with authorities securing the area, searching for additional victims, and examining the crime scene. Montreal police have urged the public to avoid the area, and Quebec authorities issued an alert warning of an armed suspect in the neighborhood. Residents were instructed to shelter indoors and follow local authorities’ instructions.
The fallen officer was identified as 34-year-old Mohamed Lamine Benredouane. Montreal Police paid tribute to him, acknowledging his dedication and passion for his work. The civilian victim was identified by local media as Michael Moshe Mizrahi, a member of Montreal’s Jewish community. A second officer was injured, but the condition of the officer and other potential victims is unknown.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his horror at the incident and extended his thoughts to the victims and the community of C´te-des-Neiges. Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada also conveyed her condolences and assured that her office is closely monitoring developments.
Local media reported that the suspect may have been motivated by anti-feminist and “incel” ideology, as law enforcement officials are examining a manifesto allegedly linked to the suspect. The manifesto reportedly identified targets within the pornography industry, including the headquarters of Aylo, the parent company of PornHub, which is cooperating with the investigation.
British Columbia police issued a warning to their units about a document potentially inciting violence against law enforcement officers. The investigation continues as authorities work to uncover further details surrounding the incident.