MONTREAL — A police officer was killed and a suspect was shot dead after an exchange of gunfire outside a hotel in Montreal, authorities said, in an incident that also left a civilian dead and another officer seriously injured.
The shooting occurred on Monday in the Côte-des-Neiges district after police responded to reports of an armed individual at a Hilton hotel, Montreal police said. Officers were dispatched at about 11:35 a.m. local time following a call reporting that a person was pointing a firearm from a hotel window. When officers arrived, they came under gunfire, according to Police Chief Fady Dagher.
Montreal police identified the slain officer as Constable Mohamed Lamine Benredouane, 34, who had served with the force since 2021. A second officer suffered serious injuries and remained in stable condition, police said. The suspect, armed with a long gun, was killed after officers returned fire.
A civilian also died during the incident. Authorities said it was not immediately clear whether the civilian was struck by police gunfire or by shots fired by the suspect. Quebec’s police watchdog, the Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes, has opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths and the police response.
“It’s a very, very sad day. It’s a nightmare,” Dagher told reporters during a news conference. He noted that it was the first time in 24 years that a Montreal police officer had been killed in the line of duty.
The shooting prompted a large emergency response, with authorities issuing shelter-in-place orders for residents and closing nearby roads and transit services while officers secured the area. The restrictions were later lifted after police confirmed there was no ongoing threat.
Investigators have not publicly established a motive. However, an official familiar with the matter told The Associated Press that a manifesto linked to so-called “incel” ideology was found in connection with the suspect. Authorities have not formally attributed the attack to terrorism and have cautioned against drawing conclusions before the investigation is completed.
Canadian officials, including Prime Minister Mark Carney and Quebec leaders, expressed condolences to the victims’ families and support for law enforcement personnel affected by the incident. Flags were ordered lowered in tribute to the fallen officer, according to local authorities.
As of Wednesday, investigators continued to examine evidence, including the suspect’s writings and the sequence of events that led to the deaths. Authorities said details surrounding the civilian’s death and the suspect’s motive remain under investigation.
