After being the subject of strong criticism because of his controversial remarks on the triple homicide which occurred in Montreal and Laval last week, the premier of Quebec, François Legault, rectified the situation Monday morning.
“What I wanted to say is that I’m glad the suspect has been taken out of [d’état] to harm, ”he qualified as he unveiled the CAQ candidate in the riding of Duplessis, Kateri Champagne Jourdain. “Obviously, I was not happy that he died. We don’t want that,” he added.
Last Friday, the province was in shock following a triple murder committed in the metropolitan area. Called to react, the Prime Minister had referred to the main suspect, Abdulla Shaikh, declaring to be “glad that we are rid of this individual”. Mr. Shaikh was shot dead by police on Thursday morning at the Pierre motel in the Montreal borough of Saint-Laurent.
The Prime Minister’s remarks aroused the ire of several politicians and citizens who deplored that Mr. Legault was delighted with the death of the man, who was also struggling with serious mental health problems, including schizophrenia.
In interview with The duty on Saturday, the suspect’s former lawyer, Me François Legault, strongly condemned the words of his namesake: “We live in a society of law, we do not live in Wild West here. According to him, the Prime Minister’s remarks are “unacceptable”. The lawyer represented Abdulla Shaikh last March as part of an annual review conducted by the Commission for the Review of Mental Disorders of Quebec.
A police investigation and another by the Coroner’s Office are underway to shed light on the events, including why the suspect was not incarcerated even though he was deemed to represent a “significant risk for public safety.
With Zacharie Goudreault