The owner of Terrasses Bonsecours, a popular bar in Old Montreal, is suing the City and the Montreal Police Service (SPVM) for more than $4 million after being shot in a shooting between an armed suspect and police officers in September 2020, considered the worst since that of Dawson College in 2006.
Peter Marinis accuses the SPVM agents involved of having demonstrated “gross negligence,” according to the lawsuit filed Wednesday morning and consulted by The Press. The authorities did not take into account the citizens present during the police operation aimed at subduing an armed suspect, according to Mr. Marinis.
The latter was shot during the exchange of gunfire between police officers and Adam Pichette, an individual armed with a pistol, on the night of September 12 to 13, 2020 on rue de la Commune Est, where locates Mr. Marinis’ restaurant-bar. The man in his forties was there that evening.
More than 30 shots were heard during this event which caused a stir three years ago, when the metropolis was then grappling with an outbreak of armed violence.
According to authorities, it was the worst shooting to occur in the city since that at Dawson College in 2006.
The plaintiff has been living with significant physical and psychological after-effects ever since, details the lawsuit. Mr. Marinis was hit in the lower abdomen and suffered serious injuries to his intestines and bladder, court documents explain. He had to spend two weeks in hospital. The victim has been unable to work since.
“The shots were fired in the space of a few seconds by three police officers while they were trying to control a belligerent who had already been injured by bullets without any consideration for civilians,” according to the version of the facts presented in the lawsuit against the SPVM.
Peter Marinis is seeking $4.2 million.
Scene worthy of the Wild West
Adam Pichette, 33, allegedly argued with an individual he knew at Terrasses Bonsecours shortly before the police arrived, according to our information at the time.
PHOTO ARCHIVES THE PRESS
Adam Pichette
The two men were kicked out of the establishment, but their feud continued. Adam Pichette took a pistol out of his men’s bag and fired it into the air.
A witness then allegedly informed police officers who were riding bicycles. When they approached, the suspect, who was allegedly intoxicated by alcohol or drugs, opened fire towards them, without warning.
The police, according to our information, immediately drew their pistols and responded.
It was in this context that civilians were shot.
Adam Pichette already had a criminal history. He was charged with attempted murder and possession of a prohibited weapon following the event. The suspect died of a heroin overdose in prison in April 2021.