Tribute to the teenager killed on the Plateau Mont-Royal

Around 100 people gathered on Sunday to pay their respects to Amir Benayad, the 17-year-old who was shot and killed earlier this week.

Mayssa Ferah
The Press

“He was a good guy, we took his life. He wasn’t even involved [là-dedans], he was doing nothing. We were supposed to go to the hairdresser today. He was waiting for the summer, he wanted us to go on big outings, ”said the little brother of the deceased, in tears.

Amir Benayad, 17 years old. The words “sound weird” in the mouth of a teenager of the same age who admits to being scared. It could have been him, his friend, his classmate, he worries. He came to pay tribute to the victim who was shot and killed Thursday evening in the Plateau Mont-Royal sector.

His death leaves no one indifferent. It saddens parents and upsets young people. Among the crowd gathered at the Plateau Mont-Royal intersection where Amir Benayad was shot, many have a sense of deja vu. “And that’s basically what’s really sad,” says Rahna Mansour, a shifty-eyed mother. “We really wonder, who is next? My son ? My nephew ? »

The violent and sudden death of young Amir shook Mohamed Rayan Jemour, his childhood friend. “We are never safe. I still can’t believe it, he had no problem with anyone. »

This murder, the first to occur in Montreal in 2022, recalls the grim toll of last year, when three Montreal teenagers were killed. Thomas Trudel, 16, was shot in the middle of the street close to his home last November. Janai Dopwell-Bailey, 16, was stabbed to death in October following a dispute. Last February, 15-year-old Meriem Boundaoui was shot in the head while she was in a vehicle in Saint-Léonard.

The investigation by the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) is still ongoing. As is the case for the murders of Meriem Boundaoui and Thomas Trudel, no suspects have been arrested.

Montreal remains safe

A few elected officials were present on site, including the head of public security for Projet Montréal, Alain Vaillancourt. “I have two children myself, and that means a lot to me. I want to be there to support the community, the parents. »

He understands the growing frustration and insecurity of families in the face of this violence. The pandemic context and the accessibility of firearms feed this scourge, according to him. “It’s not normal to have such easy access to weapons. We talked a lot about prevention. During the pandemic, sports and creative activities for our young people are on hold, and the places where they socialize have been partially closed for two years. They no longer see their friends. »

The Montreal Forum for the fight against armed violence which was to be held on January 26 and 27 has been postponed due to the health situation. The event will bring together different partners in search of concrete solutions. “But I want to reassure citizens, it remains safe to walk in Montreal. »