Montreal Shooting Leaves Officer Mohamed Benredouane, Civilian, Assailant Dead
A police officer, a civilian, and the armed assailant died in a midday shooting in Montreal's Côte-des-Neiges neighbourhood. The unidentified male suspect, believed to have acted alone, was killed at the scene. Another police officer sustained severe injuries but is reported to be in stable condition.
Witnesses described hearing gunshots and observing a weapon protruding from a window before police were called to the scene. Quebec’s security minister stated the motive for the attack remains unclear.
Following the incident, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police reportedly circulated an alert among other Canadian police forces, warning of a document encouraging attacks on officers. Local resident Danny Wilk recounted seeing the assailant, dressed in military clothing, and later witnessing the officer on the ground before the attacker was shot by police.
The deceased officer was identified as 34-year-old Mohamed Lamine Benredouane, who joined the force in 2021. This marks the first time a Montreal police officer has been killed in the line of duty in nearly 25 years. The civilian victim was named as Michael Moshe Mizrahi, described as a "beloved member of Montreal's Jewish community" by the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs. Police have not indicated the attack was antisemitic.
Public broadcaster Radio Canada reported that the gunman may have been inspired by the misogynistic 'incel' movement, a loosely organised online community of men who attribute their lack of sexual activity to women. A 2018 vehicle-ramming incident in Toronto, which killed 10 people, was also linked to 'incel' ideology.
The shooting prompted an emergency alert across Quebec, bringing traffic on a nearby motorway to a halt and suspending local metro services. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada expressed condolences to the victims and first responders.
