Montreal, shooting in the Jewish quarter: three dead, including a police officer and the attacker
Three people, including the attacker, have been killed in the shooting in Montreal. The incident took place in the Cote-des-Neiges area, home to the Jewish community
Fear has gripped a Montreal neighbourhood with a large Jewish population. A man opened fire near a supermarket – described by some media outlets as kosher – killing a police officer and a local resident before being shot dead by the police. Neither the identity of the killer nor the motive behind the attack, which took place between 11.30 and 12.30 local time in the Cotes des Neiges neighbourhood, is clear at this stage.
The only person to have spoken out so far is Yaakov Hagoel, President of the World Zionist Organisation, who said that “the anti-Semitic terrorist attack in Montreal is an urgent wake-up call for the world”. “You are shedding Jewish blood!” he added, addressing “the Canadian government and world leaders: do not be content with condemnations and statements. The time has come to take decisive action against anti-Semitic terrorism”.
The police have denied reports in some media outlets that the attack was targeted at officers, explaining that they had received an emergency call from a ‘civilian’. According to Israeli media, one of the victims was named Michael Mizrachi, but the police, at a press conference, said they were unable at this stage to disclose or confirm his identity.
The investigations
The police have, however, asked all residents to stay indoors with their doors locked and to avoid the many kosher restaurants and shops in the area. There are also several Jewish schools in the area. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, a leading Canadian organisation, has stated that it is ‘monitoring the situation closely’.
“Whilst we await further details on the nature of this terrible incident, we urge members of the community to remain vigilant,” the statement reads.
