Man, 27, critically injured after shooting on busy downtown Montreal street

A 27-year-old man is recovering in hospital after he was shot early Sunday morning on a crowded downtown Montreal street.

Montreal police spokesperson Jean-Pierre Brabant said the shooting happened at around 2 a.m. on St-Laurent Boulevard, near des Pins Avenue.

“It was officers walking the beat that heard the gunshots,” Brabant said, adding the officers also found shell casings on the ground.

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Brabant explained the boulevard was crowded at the time, as St-Laurent is closed to traffic this weekend for a street festival.

The victim was found a short distance away, south of des Pins Avenue.

He was rushed to hospital in critical condition.

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As of 11 a.m., Brabant said the victim had been stabilized and was now out of danger.

He is expected to meet with investigators as soon as his health allows.

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Brabant confirmed the victim is known to police services.

A perimeter was established and crime scene technicians, a canine unit and several investigators were assigned to the case.

No arrests have been made, but police are hopeful surveillance cameras will allow for a description of the suspect.