A man in his thirties who would be linked to drug trafficking was fatally shot on Friday evening in a residential street in Charlemagne, on the North Shore of Montreal.
Around 10:00 p.m., the City of Repentigny Police Department received a call concerning gunshots heard on Sainte-Thérèse Street, in Charlemagne, located a few blocks from Highway 640.
“I heard gunshots, at least five. We are used to hearing fireworks, but it was louder than usual,” said Mario Gagnon, who lives nearby.
Other neighbors also mentioned hearing a series of bangs at the same time.
The driver of an Audi SUV parked at the curb, Noël Garcia-Frias, was shot and wounded. He was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The 32-year-old Montreal North resident is known to police circles, confirmed the Sûreté du Québec, which took over the investigation.
According to our information, Mr. Garcia-Frias is linked to drug trafficking and street gangs. However, he has no criminal history.
The SQ is still treating the case as a suspicious death. No arrests have been made in this case.
Peaceful neighborhood
Area residents interviewed by The newspaper seemed surprised that such a crime had been committed close to their home, in this normally peaceful little street that leads to a cemetery.
“Normally, we don’t have any trouble with the neighbours, it’s quiet,” said Roma Therrien, observing the remains of glass that were on the street, directly in front of his home.
Another resident was surprised to see so many police cars in the area, since they very rarely patrol there.
– With Félix Séguin, Bureau of Investigation, and QMI Agency