Montreal police (SPVM) confirmed Thursday that an arrest was made in connection with the assault of a police officer in late January in the city’s Parc-Extension neighbourhood.
Ali Ngarukiye, 21, is expected to appear in a Montreal court on Friday to face charges of attempted murder, intentionally discharging a prohibited firearm, disarming a police officer, aggravated assault and car thefts.
The SPVM says the arrest was made in collaboration with the Toronto Police Service, Durham Regional Police, the OPP and the Montreal police major crimes unit.
Police said searches were being carried out at the Toronto address where the suspect was arrested. Other searches were also being performed in areas he is known to have frequented in recent weeks.
In a news release, police said “DNA tests have proven to be useful and conclusive in this case,” but cited the ongoing legal process for not releasing additional details.
During a press conference Thursday afternoon, SPVM spokesperson David Shane specified that not only was the suspect’s DNA located at the crime scene, but the victim’s DNA was also found on objects that were in his possession.
The motive for the attack is not yet known.
Shane explained police were primarily focused on identifying, locating and apprehending the suspect.
It remains unclear if the victim, Sanay Vig, was targeted but Shane said the suspect was never issued a ticket by the officer.
Ngarukiye is known to police services in Ontario, where he has a criminal record related to fraud.
Police believe he acted alone in the attack and are not searching for additional suspects. However, police are not excluding that he may have received help in his flight from police.
Vig’s weapon has yet to be recovered, but Shane said search warrants are still being executed.
News of the new arrest comes nearly two months after Mamadi III Fara Camara was cleared of any wrongdoing in the case.
Vig was attacked and disarmed during a traffic stop performed on Camara on the afternoon of Jan. 28.
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Camara was wrongfully arrested that same night and charged with the attempted murder of a police officer.
After six days in detention, Crown prosecutors dropped all charges against Camara, citing evidence that absolved him.
Montreal police Chief Sylvain Caron issued a public apology to Camara and his family, as the Quebec government launched an independent investigation into what happened.
Shane expressed hope news of the arrest would bring some closure to Camara and the injured officer.
“This arrest ,we hope, will help restore a sense of tranquility and peace for both the victim agent Vig and the population of Montreal,” he said.
“We also have a special thought for Mr. Camara. We hope the arrest of the real suspect in this case, will allow him to close a chapter on this event which had important consequences for him as well.”
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