A Montreal Police officer (SPVM) was killed, and others were wounded in a shooting attack in the Côte-des-Neiges neighborhood of Montreal, Canada, on Monday.
Initial reports also stated that a civilian, identified as Rabbi Michael Moshe Mizrahi, a Jewish local and member of the local Chabad center, had been killed, possibly by crossfire during a shootout between police officers and the attacker.
Conflicting reports emerged later on Sunday regarding Mizrahi’s status, with ZAKA saying claims he had died were incorrect and that he was undergoing emergency surgery.
A Chabad source confirmed ZAKA’s claims to The Jerusalem Post.
At around 11:30 am Canada time, the SPVM posted an imminent threat alert for an armed and dangerous suspect in the CDN sector. The alert was later lifted.
Locals reported 20-30 shots being fired. It is a heavily Jewish area with numerous kosher restaurants, a Chabad center, Jewish schools, and Jewish community centers. The shooting location is right next to the Hilton Hotel.
A suspect has since been confirmed neutralized, and one policeman and one civilian were later confirmed to have died.
Videos from the scene showed two bodies on the floor. A gunman, seemingly Caucasian, can be seen face down wearing camouflage, and a rifle (seemingly an SKS) is also visible on the floor nearby.
All Jewish businesses and schools in the area are on lockdown, another source told The Jerusalem Post.
According to local media, a suspect in the shooting prepared a manifesto before opening fire and sent it to various media outlets.
Chief of SPVM Fady Dagher says the investigation is still ongoing
In a press conference, Chief of SPVM Fady Dagher said, "We have no information that there is another suspect."
He confirmed the suspect was neutralized but that the investigation is still ongoing.
Dagher said the police have possession of the manifesto, but is still investigating, and has also not concluded whether it was an ambush, or if the suspect is part of a wider network.
"The policewoman who was in critical condition is now in stable condition and no longer fears for her life," he said.
He would, however, not respond to questions about the identity of the civilian or who killed the civilian, despite confirmation that the victim was a local Rabbi.
On the subject of the murdered police officer, Dagher said "it's been 24 years since we lost a police officer in Montreal."
"This was a nightmare, the worst sort of nightmare," he said.
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) is closely monitoring the situation.
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) said it is closely following the situation, adding “thoughts first go to all those affected by this incident, as well as to all the police officers mobilized to ensure the safety of citizens.”
CIJA also sent “sincere condolences” to the family of the fallen officer, his loved ones, and all his colleagues.
“We are wholeheartedly with the law enforcement forces who risk their lives every day to ensure our safety.”
Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada said, “My deepest condolences to the family, loved ones, and colleagues of the police officer who died in the line of duty in Côte-des-Neiges.”
“My thoughts are also with all those affected by this tragedy.”