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A suspect is in custody after three people were found stabbed to death Friday morning in an apartment building in Montreal’s Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie borough, police say.
Authorities were called to the scene on Bélanger Street near the Viau Street intersection shortly after 9 a.m. where they found the three victims who were pronounced dead at the scene.
Officers say they arrested an individual outside the building and the incident is being investigated as a triple-homicide.
Premier François Legault issued a statement offering his condolences to the families of the victims, adding that he was following the situation closely.
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante also tweeted out a reaction to the news Friday morning, saying she was thinking of the three people who died under horrible circumstances.
Authorities barricaded off the street consisting of low-rise apartment buildings, across the street from the Montreal Heart Institute. That section of Bélanger Street remained closed off to traffic, which blocked the main entrance to the building.
An ambulance with lights flashing remained on scene, along with a police mobile command post and a large number of police vehicles.
A spokesperson for the Urgences-santé ambulance service said it was called to the scene, but no transports were needed.
Vincent Marissal, the Québec solidaire member who represents Rosemont in the legislature, said he has reached out to the province’s public security minister to get more information about what happened.
“My first reaction was a thought for the victims, we have three people dead this morning, that’s awful, that’s terrible,” he told reporters at the scene.
Police couldn’t yet provide any further details on the victims nor their relationship with the suspect.
Dozens of officers were deployed to the scene, and police say the case has been transferred to the major crimes unit.
Neighbours who spoke with Global News said they believe people need faster and more accessible mental health support.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Legault said his government will “continue its efforts” to fund mental health support across the province.
–with files from The Canadian Press