The day after the event of the young man shot in a library in Laval, Mayor Stéphane Boyer expressed concern that this had happened in a public place.
“It is a situation which is unacceptable and it is quite worrying that not only this kind of events take place on our territory, but also in a public place where there were citizens and employees working. », Affirmed Stéphane Boyer, in front of the Philippe-Panneton library, Tuesday morning. The employees will be met today, he added.
Monday evening, at 7:13 p.m., shots were fired at the Philippe-Panneton library. An 18-year-old man, who was inside, was shot in the lower body. The young victim, known to police circles, was then transported to hospital and there is no fear for his life, said Stéphanie Beshara, spokesperson for the Laval Police Department, yesterday.
PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, PRESS ARCHIVES
Stephane Boyer
According to our information, the victim is linked to Chomedey 45, a gang present in the neighborhood of the same name. The gunman, who was outside the library, fled. There have been no arrests so far.
Tuesday morning, Stéphane Boyer argued that “the resurgence of firearms” in connection with street gangs in Greater Montreal is “a social issue that we must all resolve together”. Despite recent events, the mayor reiterated that the cities of Laval and Montreal “remain safe”. “We will see what more we can do, if there are ways of doing things with the school environment or the community environment that we can improve,” said Mr. Boyer. It is certain that we cannot tolerate this kind of situation. ”
Eve Lagacé, general manager of the Association of public libraries of Quebec, wrote to be “wholeheartedly with the family of the victim and with the team of the Libraries of Laval”. “As this is an isolated event, we continue to consider public libraries to be safe and welcoming places open to the entire population,” she replied to Press, during an email exchange.
With Alice Girard-Bossé, Daniel Renaud and Mayssa Ferah