The 26-year-old man suspected of having committed three murders in Montreal and Laval before being shot dead by the police on Thursday morning had been the subject of calls related to mental health problems. He would have acted alone, according to the Sûreté du Québec (SQ).
Investigators visited on Thursday afternoon a dwelling occupied by relatives of Abdullah Shaikh, a 26-year-old young man considered the suspect in three murders that occurred in two days in the metropolitan area.
His criminal record shows that he was well known to Laval police: law enforcement has arrested him a few times in recent years, including for sexual assault, assault with a weapon and criminal harassment. in 2016. However, he only visited his relatives from time to time in the accommodation where they live in Laval, near the Chomedey district, according to neighbors met on the spot.
Unknown motives
In a press briefing on Thursday, SQ spokesperson Audrey-Anne Bilodeau also indicated that the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) “had already intervened in connection with mental health calls” concerning that man. However, it is too early to link this information to the three reported murders, she said. “We do not yet know his motivations; we will certainly know more in the next few hours. »
The most recent victim of the suspect would be a young Laval resident in his twenties who was riding a skateboard in Laval-des-Rapides on Wednesday evening; he would then have been fatally shot. A man in his sixties was also killed in the street in the borough of Saint-Laurent on Tuesday evening, as well as a man in his late forties who was in Ahuntsic-Cartierville. The victims were all said to have been shot at close range on the public highway.
” At first glance, [le suspect] has no accomplice, he would have acted alone, ”added Mme Bilodeau. The provincial police force also believes, at this stage of the investigation, that the three victims were chosen at random.
In interview at To have to Thursday afternoon, Mr.me Bilodeau however clarified that the thesis of a terrorist act is not ruled out. “Could he have acted from the point of view of his ideologies? It’s something that we assess, ”said the spokesperson. It also appears unlikely that the man is linked to organized crime, she added.
The suspect’s brother, who answered a few questions from reporters Thursday while staying behind the closed door of his Laval apartment, confirmed that the latter was taking medication to treat mental health problems.
The man, however, rejected the possibility that his brother could be the author of the murders committed in Montreal and Laval – especially since he seemed calm in the last days, he said. “We are very shocked”, confided, shaken, the brother of the suspect shortly after the investigators had left his accommodation, around 3 p.m.
three murders
Police officers from the SPVM’s tactical intervention group were first called around 7 a.m. Thursday morning to go to the site of the Pierre motel, located on Marcel-Laurin boulevard, to carry out searches in connection with three murders. committed in the last two days under a modus operandi similar.
The police were then confronted by the suspect, who was armed. After an exchange of gunfire, Abdullah Shaikh was hit by at least one projectile; his death was pronounced on the spot.
As provided by law, the Bureau of Independent Investigations (BEI) mobilized seven investigators to shed light on the circumstances of the man’s death during the SPVM operation. The SQ must for its part clarify the circumstances of the three murders which occurred in Montreal and Laval at the beginning of the week.
“There is not an occasion for tragedy, no justice with words and words that can be expressed”, reacted Thursday the Federal Minister of Public Security, Marco Mendicino, on the occasion of the announcement of over $40 million in financial assistance to Quebec to fight against gun violence.
“This injustice is unacceptable,” continued the minister, who hopes that the sums allocated Thursday will help prevent other crimes of this kind.
The mayoress of Montreal, Valérie Plante, for her part wanted to offer her condolences to the relatives of the victims of Tuesday and Wednesday.
“It is in these moments that we must all work together and trust our authorities with a common objective of ensuring the safety of our populations,” she added. on Twitter.
“The three homicides that occurred in Montreal and Laval horrified us all. Our hearts go out to the families of the three victims,” has meanwhile written the Quebec Minister of Public Security, Geneviève Guilbault.
Once again, our police have demonstrated their efficiency and dedication to the safety of Montrealers.
Thanks to @SPVM and our partners from @policelaval and some @sureteduquebecthe last 48 hours have been difficult for everyone. #polmtl
— Valerie Plante (@Val_Plante) August 4, 2022
Concern in Saint-Laurent
In front of the Pierre motel, Thursday morning, the fear was also palpable. A strong police deployment prevented access to the place and to a gas station included in the security perimeter.
Many residents met by The duty said they were surprised that such an operation occurred in their district, which they thought was quiet. “I’m a little disappointed because Saint-Laurent was known as a safe place,” sighed Darrel Holmes, who says he’s lived there “all his life.” But he is now considering “moving” elsewhere in Montreal to feel safer, he said.
“Normally, it’s a quiet neighborhood,” said Eugène Aimable, a resident of the area who was also surprised by the events. “It worries me,” added the young father.
With Améli Pineda and Jasmine Legendre