Photo: YouTube A shooting incident that began at the city's Hilton Hotel ended in the deaths of a police officer, a civilian, and the suspect himself, and the serious injury of another policewoman.
According to the Montreal Police (SPVM), the incident began after 911 received a report of a man seen with a weapon at the Hilton Hotel on Décarie Street. The first officers to arrive on the scene were met with live ammunition, which led to an exchange of gunfire between the officers and the suspect.
During the incident, police officer Mohamed Lamine Benredouane, 34, who had served with the Montreal police since 2021, was killed. Another police officer was critically injured, but authorities later reported that her condition had stabilized and was no longer in life-threatening condition. Another civilian was killed at the scene, and another person was slightly injured.
The suspect was shot dead by police, and a long weapon was seized at the scene that he is suspected of using during the incident.
The commander of the Montreal Police Service (SPVM), Fady Dagher, appeared before the media hours after the incident and described what happened as one of the most difficult days the police had experienced.
"It's a real nightmare. What happened today is more than terrible, it's a tragedy and a nightmare", said Deger, who called it a very sad day for the Montreal police, for the city and for the entire police community in Quebec.
Dagger paid tribute to Bernardoin, whom he described as an extraordinary policeman, and a man who lived his mission. He sent condolences to the fallen officer's family, colleagues, and friends, and asked the public and media to respect the family's privacy during this difficult time.
Referring to the injured policewoman, he said: "On behalf of the entire Montreal police force, I say to her, hang in there, we are all behind you."
The police are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the incident and to try to understand the suspect's motives. According to Deger, at this stage there is no indication of the involvement of additional suspects, but the investigation is still in its early stages.
Following the incident, traffic restrictions were imposed in the hotel area and residents were asked to avoid the area. The Montreal police announced that the organization's flags were lowered to half-mast in memory of police officer Mohamed Lamin Benredouane, who fell while performing his duty to protect the public.