ALBAWABA- A Montreal police officer was injured in a shooting incident on Monday in the Côte-des-Neiges neighborhood, prompting authorities to issue an emergency shelter-in-place alert and launch a large-scale operation to locate an armed suspect.
Montreal police (SPVM) responded to reports of gunfire shortly after late morning near the intersection of Courtrai and Trans Island avenues, close to the Décarie Expressway and the Westbury residential complex.
During the operation, at least one police officer sustained injuries in what authorities described as an active and evolving situation involving an exchange of gunfire. Officials have not yet disclosed the nature or severity of the officer’s injuries.
Shortly after midday, emergency alerts were issued to residents in a broad section of Côte-des-Neiges, urging people to remain indoors, lock their doors, and stay away from windows. The warning covered an area bounded by Côte-des-Neiges Road, McDonald Avenue, Highway Forty, and Queen Mary Road.
A significant police presence was deployed across the neighborhood, with officers establishing a security perimeter and closing several roads, including sections of the Décarie Expressway. Authorities said the situation remained unresolved during the early afternoon.
Police have released a few details about the suspect or suspects involved. Initial reports indicate that shots were fired at officers, but investigators have not confirmed the number of individuals involved, a possible motive, or the circumstances that led to the confrontation.
Unverified reports circulating on social media suggested the presence of a suspect wearing camouflage clothing and possible additional casualties, but authorities have not confirmed those claims. As of the latest official updates, only one injured officer and an ongoing manhunt have been confirmed.
No arrests have been announced.
The incident is expected to trigger an investigation by Quebec's independent police watchdog, the Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes, which routinely examines cases involving police use of force or incidents resulting in injuries during police operations.
