Add the Gazzetta del Sud as a source
Fear in a Montreal neighborhood with a strong Jewish presence. A man opened fire near a supermarket, which some media describe as kosher, and killed a policeman and a local resident before being shot dead by the police.
Neither the identity of the killer nor the motive for the attack, which occurred around 11.30-12.30 local time, in the Côte-des-Neiges neighbourhood, are currently unclear.
The only one to go unbalanced, for now, has been the president of the World Zionist Organization Yaakov Hagoel, according to whom “the anti-Semitic terrorist attack in Montreal is an urgent wake-up call for the world”. «You are shedding Jewish blood!», he added, addressing «the Canadian government and world leaders: don’t be satisfied with condemnations and declarations. The time has come to act decisively against anti-Semitic terrorism.”
The police denied rumors from some media according to which the target of the attack were the officers, explaining that they had received an emergency phone call from a “civilian”. According to Israeli media, one of the victims was called Michael Mizrachi, but the police, in a press conference, said they could not provide or confirm the identity at the moment.
However, the police asked all residents to stay at home, with the doors closed, and avoid the many kosher restaurants and shops in the area. There are also several Jewish schools in the area. The Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs, a leading Canadian organization, said it was “following the situation closely.” “As we await further details on the nature of this terrible incident, we urge community members to remain vigilant,” the statement reads.
“It is with immense sadness that we confirm the death of one of our police officers on duty,” the Montreal police said in a statement published on
At an event southwest of Montreal, Quebec Internal Security Minister Ian Lafrenière called the episode a “very sad moment.” “As a former police officer, this affects me deeply,” he added, announcing that a crisis management unit had been activated. Lafrenière also urged the population to stay away from the “shooting site” in Côte-des-Neiges.
Three years ago, again in Montreal – where a large Jewish community lives – shots were fired during the night at two schools, fortunately without causing any injuries. The attack took place in the context of very strong international and local tensions linked to the then recent outbreak of the conflict between Israel and Gaza.