The bloody murder that happened in the middle of the street, Tuesday evening, in Sainte-Foy, strongly shocked the students of the sector who are not used to this kind of violence.
“Of course I’m a little in shock this morning, it’s special!” Says Louis-Frédéric Groleau, a student from Laval University met by The newspaper, Wednesday morning.
The day before, Michel Petit, a 37-year-old man, was found seriously injured after being attacked with a stabbing weapon. He was rushed to hospital and died a few hours later.
Photo QMI Agency, Marc Vallières
The tragedy occurred around 8:50 p.m. just outside the parking lot of the La Pyramide complex, in front of Laval University’s PEPS, an area crowded with students. The murderer fled before the police arrived.
Photo QMI Agency, Marc Vallières
“It’s a bit scary because we’re here all the time. Usually, it’s more of a party atmosphere that reigns in the neighborhood, so it’s surprising, ”says Alexe Corbeil.
Photo Jérémy Bernier
Grace Mugara and Alexe Corbeil are surprised that such a violent armed attack has occurred in a neighborhood usually animated by a festive atmosphere.
Fears and precautions
It is precisely this point that scandalized the students of the sector. Unlike Montreal where assaults are rife lately, this kind of attack does not happen in Quebec in normal times, said several young people.
And the fact of not knowing what pushed the assailant to commit this act worries more than one. However, it should be noted that the spokesperson for the Service de police de la Ville de Québec (SPVQ), David Poitras, said that the random act is not being considered.
” It’s horrible, my god! », Exclaims Sarah-Maude Deshaies, who will no longer go out alone in the neighborhood, late at night, for a few weeks.
Photo Jérémy Bernier
Sarah-Maude Deshaies plans not to go out alone late at night over the next few weeks.
“I have a friend who no longer wants to come to the Pyramid for a while because she is afraid”, also confides Camilia Huang, who apprehends her evening shifts.
Photo Jérémy Bernier
Camilia Huang now apprehends her shifts which will end late at night.
Significant deployment
A large-scale police operation was carried out all night from Tuesday to Wednesday near the shopping complex and avenue Nérée-Tremblay. The dog handler was requested and the perimeter to be raked was very wide. Forensic identity technicians also came to the scene.
On Wednesday morning, the traces of blood on the roadway were cleaned up and an SPVQ command post was on site to allow investigators to conduct their investigation.
At around 11:30 am, they arrested a 25-year-old man for murder, with the help of the Tactical Intervention Group (GTI). Known to the police community, the suspect will be interviewed by serious crime investigators during the day and will appear later.
Relatives and friends get together in the evening
Photo Jean-François Racine
Some relatives and friends of Michel Petit gathered a little before 9 p.m. on Wednesday evening, near the exact place where the victim was found on the ground.
Photo Jean-François Racine
“I’m going to ask you for a minute of silence for Mike,” said one participant. About thirty people were at the scene of the tragedy and some lit fireworks. The vigil ended calmly and the police remained relatively discreet. Unintentional witness to the scene on Tuesday, a delivery man was back on site for a few minutes. “I went out and saw the body on the ground. It’s sad. Normally, Sainte-Foy is not dangerous, ”he said.
– With the collaboration of Jean-François Racine