Feeling threatened, police officers opened fire on escapees they had caught stealing a car last night in the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough.
Wednesday morning, a large security perimeter was still in place on avenue du Parc, between Saint-Viateur and Bernard.
It was at this location that patrol officers from the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) located suspects stealing a vehicle, around 1:35 a.m.
The suspects then fled in at least two vehicles. In the chaos of the moment, one of these vehicles backed up, then hit the SPVM patrol car.
The other vehicle in which the suspects were seated headed towards the patrol car. The police then heard a “thud” which they interpreted as gunshots, said SPVM spokesperson Jeanne Drouin.
They therefore responded with their service weapons. Shell casings were found at the scene, but the investigation continues to determine whether shots were in fact fired at the police officers.
No injuries were reported in connection with this event and the suspects are still being sought. The SPVM was not able to indicate when the security perimeter would be lifted.