Montreal police say they are receiving special resources from provincial police to investigate what they called an unprecedented shooting Monday evening at an apartment building in Rivière-des-Prairies, in the city’s northeastern end, that left three dead and two injured.
Insp. David Shane told reporters Tuesday that “a few dozen shots” targeted five men known to police, some of whom were inside an apartment and some of whom were outside the building.
Two of the victims were 29-years-old and the third was 63, he said, adding that one of the deceased was carrying a firearm.
READ MORE: ‘Why three bullets?’: Family of Black Quebec man shot dead by police wants answers
Shane said the major crimes unit is investigating with help from the provincial police. No arrests have been made.
Police spokesperson Véronique Comtois said several 911 calls reporting gunfire on Perras Boulevard near 54 Avenue came in at around 7 p.m. on Monday.
Police initially confirmed one death but two other victims died during the night. On Tuesday afternoon, Comtois said the lives of two remaining victims were no longer in danger.
No arrests have been made. The major crimes unit is at the scene along with forensics technicians. A large perimeter has been set up for the investigators.
“Criminal investigations have become more complex over the years, and we need specialized units for certain techniques, and these techniques take time,” he said. He said the investigation will draw on “specialized skills” from Quebec’s provincial police.
READ MORE: BEI opens investigation after man was shot dead by police in Repentigny
Shane said it was too early for police to offer a motive for the shooting, adding that “the majority of violent crimes with guns are attributable to conflicts between criminal groups.”
The building was also hit by bullets on June 5, Shane said, adding that no one was injured during that incident.
Shane called Monday’s shooting “unprecedented in Montreal, and it’s unacceptable.”
In a statement Tuesday morning, Quebec Premier François Legault called the incident troubling and offered his condolences to the families of the victims.
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante said that she is shocked by the shooting and that gun violence has to stop.
“Our team is mobilized and we are working with the SPVM to find who did this,” she said.
Borough Mayor Caroline Bourgeois told reporters it wasn’t the first time she has had to address the public after a shooting in the district, and she said residents are “legitimately concerned” and “outraged” by the homicides.
Montrealers have witnessed a rise in shootings in the city over the past couple of years. A 15-year-old girl was shot and killed in February in a drive-by shooting in the borough of St-Leonard, next to the district where Monday’s shooting occurred.
“Enough is enough,” Shane said, addressing those responsible for Monday’s attack. “Starting today you have all the force of the Montreal police on your back.”
–with files from the Canadian Press
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