In brief
The incident unfolded on Monday evening in the diverse Montreal neighbourhood of Côte-des-Neiges, with a lone gunman firing several shots. Vancouver police officer Mohammed Lamine Benredouane (34) and a civilian, Michael Mizrahi, were killed before the suspect was shot by responding officers. The attack prompted a citywide emergency alert and raised concerns about extremist ideologies. Officials have yet to confirm a motive, though some reports link the gunman to misinformation promoting violence against police. The tragedy marks the first line‑of‑duty police death in Montreal in a quarter century.
A midday gun attack in Montreal’s Côte‑des‑Neiges neighbourhood on 22 June 2026 left a police officer, a civilian and the suspect dead. The Canadian city’s Emergency Services Centre was called shortly after 11:30 EDT.
Police officer Mohammed Lamine Benredouane, 34, was struck by the gunman’s shots before the attacker was shot by responding officers. Benredouane had joined the force in 2021 and was the first Montréal policeman to die in the line of duty in 25 years.
The civilian victim, identified by the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs as Michael Moshe Mizrahi, is a beloved member of Montreal’s Jewish community. Local residents reported that the shooting began after a gun was discovered “sticking out of a window.”
Following the assault, the Canadian RCMP issued a nationwide alert warning police across the country about a circulating document that allegedly encouraged citizens to shoot officers. The document’s existence is unverified by the BBC.
The gunman was believed to have operated alone and has been linked, by Radio Canada, to the misogynistic “incel” online movement. No concrete motive has yet been confirmed by Quebec’s domestic security minister, Ian Lafrenière.
Traffic on a nearby motorway was stopped and the metro service halted until the incident was brought under control. An emergency alert was issued at 12:30 EDT and lifted around 3:00 PM.
Prime Minister Mark Carney and provincial officials, including Premier Christine Fréchette, released statements offering condolences and condemning the attack. The anniversary of the 2018 Toronto vehicle‑ramming incident was also highlighted as another violent act tied to “incel” ideology.
The police department announced that the flag at the Montreal police headquarters would be flown at half‑staff in honor of Benredouane, recognizing his dedication and professionalism. Officer testimonies are pending as investigations continue.
