Quebec launches probe into Longueuil police conduct after fatal shooting of teen Nooran Rezayi

Quebec opens administrative investigation into Longueuil police actions following the September 2025 shooting death of 15-year-old Nooran Rezayi. Lawyer Michel Bouchard has six months to report.

Quebec investigation targets Longueuil police response to teen's fatal shooting

Quebec's Domestic Security Minister Ian Lafrenière announced Monday that his department has formally launched an administrative investigation into the conduct of Longueuil police following the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Nooran Rezayi on Sept. 21, 2025, Global News Crime reports.

Lafrenière named lawyer Michel Bouchard to lead the inquiry, giving him six months to produce a report on how officers handled the aftermath of the shooting. "I expect everyone to work together so that we can get answers to all the remaining questions," Lafrenière wrote on Facebook.

The investigation follows months of pressure stemming from criticism by Quebec's independent police watchdog, the Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes (BEI). The BEI has said Longueuil officers waited one hour and 36 minutes — 96 minutes in total — before notifying the agency that Rezayi had been killed. Quebec's Police Act requires the director of a police force to inform the BEI "without delay" when a civilian is killed or injured by a police firearm.

During that 96-minute window, officers interviewed witnesses and attempted to collect video footage — actions the BEI has criticized as inappropriate, given that the investigation concerned a killing carried out by one of their own officers.

Rezayi was shot after police responded to a 911 call about a group of reportedly armed youths in a residential neighbourhood of Longueuil. The watchdog has said the only firearm seized at the scene belonged to the officer who fired. Police did seize a baseball bat, a backpack and ski masks, but no bladed weapons.

Lafrenière had announced his intention to open the inquiry in March but said he wanted to wait until Quebec prosecutors confirmed they had received all necessary information from the BEI. The watchdog completed its investigation in March and submitted its report to prosecutors, who will decide whether criminal charges are warranted. The BEI declined to comment on Monday's announcement.

Longueuil Mayor Catherine Fournier, who formally requested the administrative investigation in December, welcomed the move. "The public's trust in institutions requires clear, complete and transparent answers," she said in a statement Monday. Fournier said Lafrenière assured her the probe would examine the conduct of the force's leadership, compliance with legal obligations, and the circumstances surrounding the alleged shortcomings. Documents released last year by Fournier had already revealed tensions between the BEI and Longueuil police over the handling of the case, including a written rebuke from BEI director Brigitte Bishop.

Virginie Dufresne-Lemire, a lawyer representing Rezayi's family in a $2.2-million lawsuit against the City of Longueuil and its police force, said the announcement was welcome but long overdue. "It certainly took some time," she said. The family's suit alleges Rezayi was shot approximately 10 seconds after officers arrived on the scene, and claims police used unreasonable and disproportionate force. Those allegations have not been tested in court.

A separate $1.9-million lawsuit has been filed by mothers of other youths present at the scene, also against the city and its police force. Dufresne-Lemire said the two cases are expected to be consolidated and proceed together before the courts.

Longueuil police declined to comment Monday. The force has consistently maintained that its actions following the shooting and its delay in notifying the BEI were reasonable given the circumstances.

Opposition party Québec solidaire criticized the timing of the investigation. Public security critic Andrés Fontecilla said in a statement: "We hope everyone will collaborate. Meanwhile, the family and the Longueuil community are still waiting for the decision of prosecutors following the submission of the BEI report. Justice must be done for Nooran."

Source: Global News Crime