Montreal police (SPVM) say one officer is dead and another is in critical condition following a shooting in the Côte-des-Neiges neighbourhood.
Shortly before 1:45 p.m., the SPVM confirmed that one of the officers was killed. A civilian also died in the altercation, and the suspect was killed.
Officers were called to the scene at 11:35 a.m. at the corner of Courtrai and Trans Island avenues, and an emergency alert urging people to shelter-in-place was issued. Montreal police have not disclosed the motive behind the shooting, which is still under investigation.
Follow for live updates below:
4:40 p.m.: Police operation in Westmount
A police operation is ongoing in Westmount as officers are carrying out searches in the area near the St. Joseph’s Oratory.
Police spokesperson Manuel Couture said the search is related to the deadly shooting in Côte-des-Neiges earlier today.
The searches are being carried out “to make sure there are no more suspects,” Couture said. So far, no person of interest has been located.
Quebec’s Ministry of Domestic Security said in a post on X at 4:08 p.m. that the immediate threat to the public in Côte-des-Neiges is now over.
Joe Lofaro, CTVNewsMontreal.ca digital reporter
4:20 p.m.: Premier to hold news conference
Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette is scheduled to speak at a news conference later today.
Fréchette will be joined by Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Domestic Security Minister Ian Lafrenière, and Chantale Rouleau, the minister responsible for the Montreal region.
- The news conference will begin at 5:15 p.m. and will be streamed live on ctvnewsmontreal.ca.
Joe Lofaro, CTVNewsMontreal.ca digital reporter
4:10 p.m.: ‘I was lucky,’ says witness
John David Ballesderos said he was in a vehicle with his grandmother just before the shooting started.
He saw the gunman, describing him as a white male who was wearing “camouflage” attire, a backpack, and carrying a long firearm. Within a minute he was ordered by police to get out of the vehicle.
“There’s a bunch of kids crying, calling their dad … it’s scary,” he told CTV News. “I’m still shaking from the moment.”
Joe Lofaro, CTVNewsMontreal.ca digital reporter
3:45 p.m.: ‘I’m horrified,’ says prime minister
Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was “horrified” to learn about the deadly shooting in Montreal.
“My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones, the first responders, and the entire community of Côte‑des‑Neiges. My gratitude is with our courageous police officers whose heroic dedication protects our communities," Carney said in a post on X.
Joe Lofaro, CTVNewsMontreal.ca digital reporter
3:30 p.m.: ‘Very traumatic,’ says business owner who witnessed shooting
Yosef Hadad, who owns Deli 770 on Courtrai Avenue, says he had just stepped outside the family business when he heard gunshots.
“Right when I went out of the deli, the shooting started happening,” Hadad tells CTV News in an interview.
“I live right in front. So I went outside to get something from my house, and I just hear shooting,” he recalls.
“I see two guys with military uniforms (camouflage) running. I didn’t know what was going on. I ran to my house.”
Soon after, from his balcony, he says he witnessed a police officer get shot.
“I saw one of the cops that died, I saw him literally fall down in front of us. We heard the whistling of bullets flying from the balcony,” he says.
“It was something that’s very traumatic.”
Hadad says the deli had recently opened for the day and was already serving customers, several of whom were “stuck” inside for hours as the incident unfolded.
“So we had like five or six usual customers to get their lunch. They got stuck at the deli, for like five hours they were there,” he says, adding that other locals he’s spoken with are shaken up, especially with it being a family-friendly area.
“This is my house. This is our community. Our business is here, our family business is here. There are kids in the park. There are schools all over the place,” he says.
“It’s really a situation where no one would like to even remember it.”
Ethan Morneau, CTVNews.ca national digital producer
3:15 p.m.: Shelter-in-place over
Montreal police have lifted the shelter-in-place order that was issued following the shooting this morning.
In an afternoon press conference, police chief Fady Dagher said there is no other suspect being sought.
On the police officer who was killed, Dagher described him as “a great, great, great police officer,” who was “very passionate” about his job.
Joe Lofaro, CTVNewsMontreal.ca digital reporter
3 p.m.: Investigation will involve a ‘real deep dive’ into shooter’s history
CTV News’ public safety analyst and former OPP commissioner Chris Lewis says “there’s a million possibilities” as to why the gunman opened fire, but it will “take some time to sort all those out.”
Lewis said finding a motive will involve a “real deep dive” into who the gunman is and “interviewing everyone around him,” including co-workers, neighbours, family, friends, and determining if there are any ongoing grievances against specific people, or mental health issues.
In response to police chief Fady Dagher saying no other suspect is being sought, despite witness accounts of two active shooters, Lewis says a forensic examination will need to occur to determine if there were bullets fired from more than the one suspect’s firearm.
Kayla Thompson, CTVNews.ca multi-platform writer
3 p.m.: ‘It’s a nightmare’
A visibly distraught Montreal police chief Fady Dagher gave details of the shooting, confirming that the operation is continuing.
“It’s a very, very sad day,” he said. “It’s a nightmare, but we have to be solid. We have to be solid for the lady for this officer who survived and we’re all behind.”
2:28 p.m.: Premier ‘shaken’
Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette said she was “deeply shaken” by the shooting.
“I thank the police officers, first responders, and all those mobilized on the ground,“ she wrote on X. ”As the operation and investigation are still ongoing, it is essential to let the authorities do their work and to avoid any speculation.”
She added that the Government of Quebec will cooperate and be available for the victims.
“Such acts have no place,” she said.
Daniel J. Rowe, CTVNewsMontreal.ca digital reporter
2:08 p.m.: Mayor sends condolences
Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada posted her condolences for those killed in the shooting.
“My deepest condolences to the family, loved ones, and colleagues of the police officer who died in the line of duty in Côte-des-Neiges,“ she wrote on X. ”My thoughts are also with all those affected by this tragedy.”
Daniel J. Rowe, CTVNewsMontreal.ca digital reporter
1:55 p.m.: Civilian, suspect killed
SPVM spokesperson Jean-Pierre Brabant confirmed that the other female officer who was injured is in critical condition.
The suspect and the civilian who were injured were also reported dead.
Daniel J. Rowe, CTVNewsMontreal.ca digital reporter
1:40 p.m.: Officer killed
At 1:40 p.m., the SPVM reported that one of the officers who was shot died.
“It is with great sadness that we confirm the death of one of our police officers while on duty,” police said.
Daniel J. Rowe, CTVNewsMontreal.ca digital reporter
1:22 p.m.: Two officers, one citizen injured
Montreal police posted on X that a suspect was neutralized after two police officers and one citizen were injured.
The operation remains ongoing and police are advising to avoid the area.
Daniel J. Rowe, CTVNewsMontreal.ca digital reporter
1:10 p.m.: STM not stopping at Namur
The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) has confirmed that the Orange line will not be stopping at Namur station for the time being.
Rachel Lau, CTVNewsMontreal.ca digital reporter
12:57 p.m.: Witness describes chaotic scene
Brandon Elkaim, who lives nearby, says he was completely shocked to find out that there was a shooting in his neighbourhood.
“It was about 10 or 12, what we now know, were shots in a row,” he told CTV News. “About 10 minutes went by of quiet but in that time, we saw the park completely empty out, parents and kids running in a panic.”
He says police quickly swarmed the area, and the operation is ongoing.
“We’re all in complete shock that this is happening in our usually quiet neighbourhood,” he said. “We’re surrounded by schools. This is usually a very family area. So, we’re all completely shocked at what we just saw happening here.”
Rachel Lau, CTVNewsMontreal.ca digital reporter
12:34 p.m.: ‘Armed and dangerous’
An emergency alert was issued just after midday for an “armed and dangerous suspect” in the sector.
“If you are in the affected area, shelter indoors, lock the doors, stay away from windows and follow instructions of local authorities,” it warned.
Montreal police are unable to share any details on the causes and circumstances surrounding the gunfire.
Rachel Lau, CTVNewsMontreal.ca digital reporter
12:14 p.m.: Decarie closures
The Decarie Expressway (A-15) northbound is completely blocked to traffic at the exit to Côte-St-Luc Road, according to Quebec 511.
People are being asked to avoid the area due to a police intervention.
Rachel Lau, CTVNewsMontreal.ca digital reporter
