Montreal Shooting: Suspect, 2 Others Dead in Jewish Community ‘Nightmare'
A shooting in Montreal on Monday left three people dead, including a police officer, and triggered a large-scale emergency response across part of the city.
The shooting, which happened in one of the city’s most populous neighborhoods, was described as a rarity by Quebec officials later Monday. Police were understood to be examining a potential manifesto left behind by the suspect, who was among the dead.
“My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones, the first responders, and the entire Côte-des-Neiges community,” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney wrote on X. “I want to express my gratitude to our courageous police officers, whose heroic dedication ensures the protection of our communities.”
Quebec officials said later Monday that they were waiting before confirming the identities of those who had died.
Shooting in Montreal: What We Know
The incident unfolded late Monday morning in the Côte-des-Neiges neighborhood, a densely populated area in the city's northwest that is home to a significant Jewish community.
Police say they were first called shortly after 11:30 a.m. local time following reports of gunfire near the intersection of Trans-Island and De Courtrai avenues. From there, the situation quickly escalated into what authorities described as an active shooter event, prompting a public safety alert and shelter-in-place orders for residents.
According to Montreal police, a lone suspect opened fire, striking at least two officers and a civilian. One officer later died from their injuries, while another officer was hospitalized in serious but stable condition. A civilian was also killed.
The suspect was shot and killed during a confrontation with police, bringing the total number of fatalities to three.
Authorities issued an “armed and dangerous” alert around 12:30 p.m., urging people within a defined perimeter to stay indoors, lock their doors and keep away from windows.
The warning covered a section of Côte-des-Neiges bounded by major roads and highways, and led to road closures, including parts of Highway 40 and the Décarie Expressway, as emergency crews flooded the area. The alert was lifted later in the afternoon once police said the threat had been contained.
Montreal Police Department told Newsweek the case had been handed to the Bureau des Enquêtes Indépendantes (BEI), or Office of Independent Investigations, as this was a police involved shooting. The BEI later confirmed it was leading the investigation.
Suspect Wore Tactical-Style Clothing
Witnesses described chaotic scenes, with multiple bursts of gunfire and a heavy police response. Some said they saw officers taking cover behind structures and vehicles while exchanging shots with the suspect. Others reported hearing dozens of shots and watching residents scramble to safety, pulling children from nearby parks and rushing indoors.
The shooting appears to have taken place near a commercial complex that includes a grocery store and residential units, an area that also hosts Jewish institutions, schools and community centers. Nearby buildings showed signs of bullet damage. Video and social media footage circulating online shows heavily armed tactical teams moving through the area and securing the scene.
Officials have not released the identity of the suspect or provided a clear motive. However, investigators said the individual may have been equipped with a long-range weapon and was wearing tactical-style clothing.
Police Chief Fady Dagher told reporters the situation was a “tragedy” and a “nightmare,” emphasizing that the immediate threat had been neutralized but that the investigation remains ongoing.
The attack has drawn widespread reaction from officials across Quebec. Leaders offered condolences to the families of the victims and praised first responders who confronted the gunman. Authorities have also urged the public to avoid speculation while investigators determine what led to the violence.
Police say they do not believe there are additional suspects at this time, but they continue to examine evidence and witness accounts as they work to piece together the sequence of events and establish a motive.
This is a breaking news article. Updates to follow.
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This story was originally published June 22, 2026 at 3:29 PM.