The family and relatives of Meriem Boundaoui, shot dead in the Saint-Léonard sector a year ago, gathered at the scene of the tragedy to demand justice when no suspect was arrested.
Posted at 7:05 p.m.
“She is always in our hearts. It’s as if she died yesterday,” whispered Safia Boundaoui, the victim’s sister. She wipes her tears and sketches a shy smile when she sees the dozens of people gathered to pay homage to the young Meriem.
It was on February 7, 2021 that Meriem Boundaoui, 15, was murdered. A year later, the wound is still raw.
Each shooting involving young victims thrills Safia Boundaoui.
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
The victim’s sister, Safia Boundaoui
Every time it’s the same nightmare. We are losing our teenagers. We want more security.
Safia Boundaoui
No suspects have been arrested so far. Safia Boundaoui finds it hard to see the lack of response to the murder of her little sister. “I still trust the authorities, but it is impossible to turn the page until there is justice. »
“We want to tell young people who snatch lives that they leave wounds in families. We want justice for Meriem, ”adds the victim’s brother-in-law, Samir Bouchoul.
A few citizens and community organizations were on site to support the family. Many are asking for more concrete actions from the provincial and federal governments and think that we have to tighten the screws on the handgun plan.
“There should be tougher penalties on firearms. It’s fine to watch what is happening and be upset when it happens, but something has to be done, ”said Anie Samson, of the Community of Citizens in Action Against Violent Criminals (CCACV).
A feeling of impunity has developed among armed criminals, judge André Gélinas, ex-policeman and one of the spokespersons for the CCACV.
The victims of these violent events are increasingly young. It can happen to anyone, criminalized or not.
André Gélinas, ex-policeman and one of the CCACV spokespersons
The circumstances surrounding this murder remain unclear. A conflict between two families of merchants, first provoked by a banality, but which escalated over time, would have led to this tragic event, according to information obtained by The Press last fall. The teenager would have had nothing to do with this whole story.
Sitting in the passenger seat of a parked vehicle, Meriem Boundaoui had joined a man met a few weeks earlier on social networks. The driver said he met two acquaintances, with whom he started a simple conversation. He claimed at the time to The Press not being aware of a quarrel between the two people encountered and the alleged shooters.