A somewhat clumsy young man who literally shot himself in the foot during a shooting in downtown Montreal, following an argument with a rival gang, failed in his attempt to be released on bail.
“There was no hesitation in using firearms in a public place,” worried Judge Yves Paradis to explain why he ordered the detention of Reda Khebichat, this Friday, at the Montreal courthouse.
Sitting in the courtroom, the parents of the 19-year-old defendant had to repress their sobs when they learned that their son would remain in prison until the end of the proceedings, given the crimes with which he is charged.
It is that on October 2, 2022, Khebichat and another person went to the concert of a rapping duo at L’Olympia. However, at the end of the show, an altercation would have occurred with a rival group.
Photo provided by the court
painful clumsiness
And when the latter two went to a gas station on De Maisonneuve Boulevard, a shootout broke out, with the two groups shooting at each other.
Several shots were fired at the end of the evening at the corner of boulevard De Maisonneuve Est and rue Saint-Timothée, in Montreal, on Sunday, October 2, 2022. THIERRY LAFORCE / AGENCE QMI
Photo archives, QMI Agency (Thierry Laforce)
Except that according to the police investigation, Khebichat was a bit clumsy. Because while his alleged accomplice barricaded himself behind a container, Khebichat literally shot himself.
Photo filed in the court file of Reda Khebichat, accused among other things of having discharged a firearm in downtown Montreal, on October 2, 2022, during an altercation with a rival gang. In this photo, we see a person identified as Reda Khebichat just after he shot himself in the foot with the gun he carried in his belt. MICHAËL NGUYEN/THE MONTREAL JOURNAL/QMI AGENCY
Photo provided by the court
“He is looking for something at his belt and is injured by shooting himself in the foot,” explained the judge, based on CCTV images filed in evidence.
In total, at least 10 shots were fired. Thanks to ballistic expertise, the police determined that the shots came from three different weapons, including two 9mm Lugers.
Photo filed in the court file of Reda Khebichat, accused among other things of having discharged a firearm in downtown Montreal, on October 2, 2022, during an altercation with a rival gang. Photos of the shooting captured by a surveillance camera. MICHAËL NGUYEN/THE MONTREAL JOURNAL/QMI AGENCY
Photo provided by the court
“A .40 S&W caliber weapon struck a casing that matches the only bullet that Reda Khebichat fired, in his foot,” reads the summary of the facts filed in the court file.
Identified at the hospital
Following this incident, the two groups fled, each on their own. Other images then show the arrival of a car and people providing assistance to Khebichat.
Photo provided by the court
And on the surveillance cameras of the Jean-Talon hospital, we can again see the accused being taken care of by the health personnel.
Photo filed in the court file of Reda Khebichat, accused among other things of having discharged a firearm in downtown Montreal, on October 2, 2022, during an altercation with a rival gang. In this photo, we see Reda Khebichat in the emergency room of the Jean-Talon hospital, on a wheelchair, waiting for treatment after shooting himself in the foot. MICHAËL NGUYEN/THE MONTREAL JOURNAL/QMI AGENCY
Photo provided by the court
“He says he doesn’t remember anything, that he was at a party downtown with friends, but he prefers not to mention their names,” the summary of the facts indicates.
The young man had to be operated on and still to this day, he must continue to undergo treatment. They will however be in prison, ruled the judge, despite the good will of the parents.
Khebichat, who is defended by Me Antonio Cabral, will return to court on Monday for further proceedings.