Quebec and Montreal Flags Lowered in Mourning After Côte-des-Neiges Shooting

Flags at the National Assembly and Montreal City Hall were lowered to half-mast to honor a police officer and civilian killed in a shooting in Montreal's Côte-des-Neiges neighborhood.

Quebec and Montreal Flags Lowered in Mourning After Côte-des-Neiges Shooting

Officials in Quebec and Montreal lowered flags to half-mast on Monday evening to honor the victims of a deadly shooting in the city's Côte-des-Neiges neighborhood.

The provincial flag at the National Assembly and Montreal's city flag at City Hall were both placed at half-staff following the incident that claimed three lives, including the suspect.

The fallen officer was identified as Mohamed Lamine Benredouane, 34, who had served with the Montreal police since 2021. The civilian victim was named as Michael Moshe Mizrahi, a member of Montreal's Jewish community.

At a press conference Monday evening, Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette expressed profound shock and sadness over the events. "Quebecers and I are deeply shaken by what has occurred," she stated, announcing that she had requested the National Assembly president lower the Quebec flag.

Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada joined the premier in mourning. "We too will lower our flag so that all Montrealers can share in this grief with the SPVM," she said, calling the moment "extremely difficult" while reassuring residents that Montreal remains a safe city.

Interior Security Minister Ian Lafrenière, Metropolitan Affairs Minister Chantal Rouleau, and Montreal Executive Committee member Dimitrios Jim Beis also attended the press conference.

All officials declined to comment on reports suggesting the suspect adhered to incel ideology. "It is important to let authorities do their work and avoid any speculation," Premier Fréchette emphasized. Minister Lafrenière added, "The goal is not to hide information from you, but I am being extremely cautious."

The terrorist hypothesis has been ruled out, Lafrenière confirmed. He noted that Montreal's police counter-terrorism management structure had been mobilized during Monday's operation.

The premier announced that psychological support will remain available in the coming days for the families of the deceased and any citizens who may need it.

Political reactions poured in across social media. Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed being "dismayed" by the deaths of both a police officer and a civilian. "I wish to express my gratitude to our courageous police officers, whose heroic dedication ensures the protection of our communities," he wrote on X.

Quebec Liberal Party leader Charles Milliard said he was "deeply moved." "No police officer should be the target of such an attack in the exercise of their duties," he stated on X.

Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon wrote on X that he was "troubled to learn of the death of a police officer during an intervention in Côte-des-Neiges."

Québec solidaire co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal expressed being "devastated" on BlueSky, extending her thoughts "to the loved ones of the deceased officer, to the injured officer, to the victims and their families."

The last time a Montreal police officer died in the line of duty was in 2002.

Source: Le Devoir

Source: Google News CA — Québec (FR)