In a heartbreaking incident on Monday, a Montreal police officer, Mohamed Lamine Benredouane, was fatally shot alongside a civilian, after a gunman unleashed gunfire near a hotel, only to be killed by responding officers. Benredouane, who was 34 years old, had been a dedicated member of the Montreal Police Service since 2021 and was reported to be of Algerian descent, according to Canadian news outlet TVA Nouvelles.
The Montreal Police Chief, Fady Dagher, detailed that the harrowing events unfolded around 11:35 a.m., when a witness alerted authorities about a man aiming a rifle from a Hilton hotel window located in the Côte-des-Neiges area. Upon police arrival, the situation escalated as the gunman opened fire, resulting in the tragic death of Officer Benredouane and leaving another officer seriously injured, who has since been reported to be in stable condition.
Additionally, a civilian named Michael Mizrahi, aged 68, was also killed in the attack. As investigations continue, police have not yet established the circumstances surrounding the shots that resulted in his death. In a swift response, law enforcement officers returned fire, neutralizing the suspected shooter, who is believed to have acted independently, eliminating any ongoing threat to the public.
Quebec's Public Security Minister, Ian Lafrenière, indicated that Canadian security agencies had evaluated the incident and determined that it did not constitute a terrorist attack. Reports from Le Monde suggest that the assailant left behind a manifesto of approximately 100 pages, revealing deep-seated misogynistic views tied to the so-called “incel” subculture, which is characterized by involuntary celibacy.
While police have yet to officially confirm the motive behind the attack, an independent oversight body is currently investigating the shooting due to the discharge of police firearms. This incident marks a somber milestone, as Officer Benredouane is the first Montreal police officer to lose his life in the line of duty in 24 years.
As reported by en.hespress.com.
