Bang, bang bang bang! Dawn was breaking Friday when residents of a small residential street in Vieux-Longueuil woke up with a start. Were they really shots? Yes, they understood when the police made them evacuate. And more than 12 hours later, several of them still could not return to their homes.
A whole police operation was deployed on rue Daniel, in Longueuil, on Friday morning. Calls to 911 were made around 6 a.m. to report gunshots in this small residential street housing a daycare center, between rue Leblanc Ouest and chemin du Coteau-Rouge.
“I heard four gunshots, I looked out my window and saw a man dressed in black, with a hood, running towards a parked vehicle”, says Sébastien, met on the spot at the start of the evening. “The car fled to the east, and a white vehicle followed, at full speed. »
Another man would also have fled on foot, adds Sébastien, installed in his own vehicle with his 4-year-old daughter at the edge of the vast security perimeter established by the Longueuil agglomeration police department (SPAL).
“We are lucky that there was nothing more dramatic,” adds his wife, Sabrina.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
The security perimeter on rue Daniel, in the morning
Indeed, no one was injured in this exchange of shots, said François Boucher, spokesperson for SPAL. Quickly, in the morning, two men in their thirties were arrested by the police.
Following their meeting with investigators and depending on the evidence found at the scene, they could face charges.
Firearm projectile casings were found at the scene. The scene was still protected at the beginning of the evening, was able to see The Press. “She combed through to retrieve evidence, and because there would potentially be other individuals involved,” explained Mr. Boucher.
Evacuees in pajamas
While the investigators are busy in the field, the residents are beginning to find the time long.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Some evacuated residents still could not return to their homes in the evening.
“That’s what’s most difficult to live with: we have no idea when we’ll be able to return,” says Kouman, who is waiting outside with his four children aged 2 to 17.
We met him around 7:00 p.m. in a small parking lot at the corner of rue Daniel and chemin du Coteau-Rouge. It had already passed more than 12 hours since the emergency evacuation, around 6:30 a.m. Friday morning. Kouman was able to drive and then pick up her children from school. His wife stayed in the house.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
A Réseau de transport de Longueuil bus has turned into a shelter. Red Cross personnel were on site.
This parking lot has become a place of gathering and waiting. A Réseau de transport de Longueuil bus was mobilized to provide shelter, along with Red Cross personnel. Other residents wait in their vehicles in the hope of getting information.
Here and there, small groups of neighbors hold meetings. A little further, children, idle, play on the asphalt, while the sun goes down.
“I was all alone with my two young children, 5 and 2 years old, says a neighbor who preferred to keep her name silent. I was woken up by the police. As we had to evacuate, I didn’t bring anything. I’m still in pajamas, ”she adds, showing her pants. “And the dog is home!” »
Many have left essential items – like their medications – behind, Sabrina also notes.
I went to buy bottles of water, and fortunately neighbors brought food. But I think things should be put in place [pour ceux qui n’ont pas leurs médicaments].
Sabrina, area resident
“It can happen anywhere”
The house where the gunfire allegedly took place raised suspicion in the neighborhood, several neighbors said. “Everyone saw big luxury cars in front of this house,” says Sébastien. “Cars that are easily worth $350,000. »
“There are types of cars that suggest that we are dealing with people… but these are hasty conclusions”, also confides Kouman.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
No one was injured in the exchange of gunfire, said the Longueuil agglomeration police department.
“These are big cars. With that, I could finish paying my mortgage! exclaimed another neighbor, who lives nearby.
One thing is certain, the event shakes. “Me, it scares me, because I came here with my family for peace,” laments a neighbor who wishes to remain anonymous.
Sébastien is not worried, because it is the first event of its kind in the neighborhood. “But if tomorrow morning it happens [de nouveau]I’m not going to feel safe,” he says.
“You don’t expect something like that to happen,” puts another resident into perspective. But it can happen anywhere. It fell on our street. »