3 killed, including police officer and suspect, in Montreal shooting

A suspect dressed in camouflage and armed with a rifle opened fire in an ambush-like attack in Montreal, killing one police officer and injuring another, according to officials and local media reports. A civilian and the suspect were also killed.

The shooting happened at about 11:35 a.m. Monday after a 911 call from a person who reported seeing the barrel of a gun coming out of a window and hearing gunfire at the Hilton hotel at 6939 Bd Décarie, Montreal police chief Fady Dagher said at a briefing.

Officers responded to the hotel and were fired upon when they arrived, Dagher said. An exchange of gunfire followed outside at street level, leaving one officer, one civilian and the suspect dead.

A female officer was critically injured but is now in stable condition and no longer in danger, Dagher said. A second civilian was lightly injured.

The suspect was shot and killed by responding officers. A long gun used by the suspect was recovered at the scene.

Authorities did not immediately release the names of the officer, the civilian or the suspect. Dagher said the families of the officers have been notified.

Police were still searching and securing the area after the shooting to check for possible additional victims and make sure there was no further threat, but Dagher said investigators had no information indicating there was another suspect.

“The immediate threat has been neutralized,” Dagher said. “The community is safe.”

Investigators are looking into information about possible motives, including reports that a manifesto may have been sent to media.

Dagher also said it was too early to say whether the shooting was an ambush. He said the first call came from a citizen reporting a person with a gun, and officers were shot when they responded.

Videos taken by witnesses showed the gunman wearing camouflage and exchanging fire with officers. In one video, an elderly bystander can be seen standing near the gunman but does not appear to be targeted as the gunman fires toward police.

Dagher said it was the first time in 24 years that a Montreal police officer had been killed in the line of duty.

“Today, one of ours has fallen,” Dagher said. “One of ours has fallen while carrying out his mission, to protect and serve.”