Montreal police arrest suspects in shootings spanning two months, including two homicides

An SPVM police vehicle is seen in Montreal on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press)

Montreal police (SPVM) arrested several suspects in connection with three separate incidents involving armed assault over the past two months.

On July 16, the SPVM arrested a suspect related to a fatal shooting that occurred the previous day. It was the city’s 21st homicide of the year.

The 43-year-old suspect appeared in court Thursday and was charged with several offences, including first-degree murder.

According to police, officers responded to a 911 call around 12:45 a.m. on July 15, reporting gunshots and a victim on the ground at the intersection of Saint-Laurent Boulevard and René-Lévesque Boulevard in the Ville-Marie borough.

“When officers arrived, they found a 33-year-old man unconscious and suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite lifesaving efforts by paramedics, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect had fled before police arrived,” the SPVM said in a press release.

18th homicide and attempted murder investigation

The SPVM also arrested two 19-year-old suspects on July 16 in connection with two separate shootings.

One of the suspects is allegedly linked to the city’s 18th homicide, which occurred June 27 in the Montreal North borough.

Montreal police said that same individual, along with a second suspect, is also accused in a separate case involving gunfire and an attempted murder on July 11 in Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles borough.

According to the SPVM, both appeared in court on Thursday to face multiple charges.

One is accused of first-degree murder, being an accessory after the fact, and breaching bail conditions. The second suspect faces charges including attempted murder, firearms offences, and breach of conditions.

On June 27, around 9:15 p.m., police responded to 911 calls about a shooting near Maurice-Duplessis Boulevard and Matte Avenue.

“Officers found a 19-year-old man on the ground with gunshot wounds to his upper body. He was rushed to hospital, where he later died of his injuries,” the SPVM said.

On July 11, the two suspects were in a car with three other people near the intersection of Perras Boulevard and Saint-Jean-Baptiste Boulevard when they exchanged gunfire with another vehicle carrying four occupants.

Police said the second vehicle fled but was later stopped by Laval police.

The two main suspects in the first car fled on foot. The three others who had been with them were detained, questioned and later released.