In brief
At about 11:30 a.m. in Montreal’s Côte‑des‑Neiges, a lone gunman opened fire, fatally wounding a police officer and a civilian before being shot by police. The attacker, who was wearing military‑style clothing, was killed immediately on the scene. Police chief Fady Dagher declared the incident a nightmare, while authorities highlighted the unclear motive. The event prompted a national alert by the RCMP and condemned by Quebec’s Premier and the mayor of Montreal. The shooting marks the first line‑of‑duty police fatality in the city in a quarter‑century.
A midday gunfiring in Montreal’s Côte‑des‑Neiges ended with the deaths of a police officer, a civilian and the armed suspect. The attacker, who was shot dead on the scene, was described as wearing military‑style garments.
The suspect acted alone, police said, and the officer who died, Mohamed Lamine Benredouane, 34, had been serving since 2021. An additional police officer was critically injured and is now in stable condition.
The incident triggered a provincewide emergency alert, warning residents of an armed suspect on the loose. The alert was removed at about 3:00 p.m. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) issued an advisory to other police forces following a purported document that encouraged the shooting of officers.
Witnesses reported the gunman’s pistol visible through a car window before the shots were fired. Local resident Danny Wilk recounted seeking shelter in a nearby pizzeria before observing the shooter in action.
The secondary victim, identified by the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs as Michael Moshe Mizrahi, was a “beloved member of Montreal’s Jewish community.” The Canadian advocacy group stated that he was an innocent casualty; the police have not confirmed antisemitic motives.
Quebec’s domestic security minister said the shooter’s motive was unclear, noting that the incident bears a possible link to the misogynistic ‘incel’ online movement, which has previously inspired violent acts. The RCMP has not corroborated the existence of the threatened document.
Montreal’s mayor and the provincial premier both offered condolences, calling the tragedy “unacceptable” and announcing condolences for the families, first responders and the broader community of Côte‑des‑Neiges. The police force will fly its flags at half‑staff to honour the fallen officer.
