Tragic story of gun violence in a peaceful neighborhood in the northern suburbs of Montreal: a 3-year-old boy visiting family members was shot and killed in Bois-des-Filion. A 19-year-old has been charged with causing the death by criminal negligence of the toddler found seriously injured Monday evening.
Everything was silent and deserted all along the 34e Avenue Tuesday morning. Nothing indicated that such a terrible and shocking tragedy had taken place the day before, apart from two stuffed animals, a few patrol cars and curious glances through the neighbors’ windows. In a Ziploc bag, a handwritten message to the boy: “3 and a half years old, RIP my little darling”.
A resident of the neighborhood alerted the police late Monday evening after hearing noises that sounded like gunshots.
Officers found the toddler unresponsive on site. The child died on the spot despite attempts by first responders to resuscitate him. And no trace of the suspects inside the home.
It was later in the evening that three people aged 17 and 19 – two men and a woman – were met by the criminal investigations office of the Intermunicipal Police Service of Terrebonne, Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines and Bois -des-Filion. The investigation was then transferred to the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) in the afternoon.
One of the three young people arrested, Yacine Mehennaoui, appeared by videoconference late Tuesday afternoon in Laval in connection with this tragedy. The 19-year-old man is charged with criminal negligence causing death, possession of a prohibited firearm and attempting to destroy evidence. According to the indictment, he lived in the residence of the 34e Avenue where the tragedy occurred.
PHOTO FROM FACEBOOK
Yacine Mehennaoui, suspect in this case
The Crown opposed his release. It is possible that other charges will be added, according to our information. The prosecutor in this case, Me Marie-Philippe Guimond-Méthé, however, did not want to comment on this subject.
What happened between these three young people, who are related, shortly before a shot was fired remains unclear. According to our information, the trio was watching the child, who was visiting family. A priori, the death of the 3-year-old boy is still considered by the police to be an accident. The authorities are still continuing their investigation since, according to our information, the young man tried to get rid of the firearm.
The other two suspects were released.
No trace of the weapon
At the end of the day Tuesday, we could still see the police perimeter and the judicial identification on the 34e Avenue.
And for good reason: the murder weapon remains untraceable. SQ divers were still at work searching the Mille Îles River, in the hope of finding evidence that could be linked to the event, namely the firearm. The waterway is located at the end of the street where the residence where the child was found Monday evening is located.
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, THE PRESS
The residence where the drama took place
The event caused great concern in this peaceful neighborhood. “It’s very surprising to know that there are guns in this neighborhood. I was sad to learn that the victim was a child. It leaves me speechless,” explained a neighbor. He preferred to keep his name quiet. The scourge of gun violence is “not just in Montreal,” he continued.
Her neighbor across the street was very surprised to see ambulances and flashing lights near her house Monday evening. “It was an accident, but it’s shocking to know that it could have hit anyone.” »
The two neighbors did not hear any gunshots.
However, questions remained unanswered for the neighborhood. How did the young suspect obtain a gun? But above all, why handle your firearm in the presence of a child?
“I especially thought it would happen in Montreal, but less here,” summarized the lady.