(Montreal) A man known to the police was shot on the night of Sunday to Monday in Montreal North. He would have been targeted by a group of individuals after a conflict which degenerated. We still feared for his life at the end of the afternoon.
The victim, Maurizio Rea, has a heavy criminal record. The 47-year-old man has several convictions in cases of robbery, domestic violence, break and enter, forcible confinement, possession of drugs. His most recent, for a robbery committed in 2019, had earned him a four-year prison sentence.
No arrests had yet taken place at the end of the day on Monday, while the SPVM sleuths were still trying to understand the circumstances of the tragedy.
The incident occurred at the intersection of boulevard Langelier and rue Villeneuve. Twelve hours after the altercation, there was no sign that such an event had occurred on the scene.
Asked by The Pressthe people of the neighborhood have also expressed that the sector was not a corner of Montreal North known for armed conflicts.
“It’s certain that there are things happening in Montreal North, but around here, it’s quiet,” said a woman who has lived on Langelier Boulevard near Villeneuve Street for 26 years. years. “There were incidents like this a very long time ago, but it’s been years since I heard of a gunshot in this corner,” added the lady who preferred to conceal her identity.
A man whose business is near the intersection was also surprised that such a drama was unfolding near his store. ” I am very surprised. I’ve been here 5-6 years, and I’ve never seen anything like it. »
Hot summer?
A 30% drop in firearm crimes has been recorded for the first five months of 2023. These statistics, however, do not include the episodes of shootings that have since taken place on Montreal territory.
The head of the SPVM, Fady Dagher, attributed the drop to the strategy of intervening proactively with certain street gang members. He also said he wanted to target other individuals who might use firearms, to prevent gun violence.
However, the City of Montreal had predicted a hot summer in terms of public safety in the metropolis.