The trails in Mount Saint Bruno park are not only beautiful they are also known as a peaceful haven away from the city’s hustle and bustle.
But the serenity was broken last Friday afternoon when at around 12:30 p.m., a man allegedly violently attacked a 50-year-old woman.
She is now recovering, but the attack has some visitors wondering if they are actually safe at the park.
“Well, usually I come alone, so I do jog… but for now I won’t jog alone, that’s why we come together,” said Chloé Blais who was with her friend, Virginie Allard-Poliquin.
“It’s scary to know something like that can happen here,” Allard-Poliquin said.
“I won’t stop coming here but I’ll be coming with someone.”
“I thought it was just terrible because it’s such a lovely, peaceful mountain,” Janet Hosier, who has been coming to the park for 42 years, said.
“An attack can happen anywhere but here, it’s so strange and rare and bizarre,” Hosier said.
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She explained she had never heard of such an incident in the time she’s been visiting the park and added she is not afraid to come back.
READ MORE: Police release composite sketch of suspect in Mont-Saint-Bruno attack
The woman was jogging alone in an area near Lac des Bouleaux when, as she told police, the man suddenly attacked her.
Police say she managed to fight the man off but no further details were released as the investigation is still ongoing.
Police are also asking for the public’s help to try and locate the man.
Police say releasing a computer sketch of what the man could look like has led to many tips.
“We’ve received a lot of information, good information,” Marie Beauvais-Lavoie, a spokesperson for Longueuil Police said.
“We analyzed this information. And we also continue to ask the population to contact us if they have information,” Beauvais-Lavoie added.
Meanwhile police are taking extra precautions: they say they have bikes patrolling the area until new orders are given.
They are also urging the public to be careful, to never walk alone or always carry a cellphone.
Anyone that was at the park on Friday, Sept. 2, and saw anything suspicious or has any information regarding the suspect is asked to call Longueuil Police at 450-463-7211.
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