Three people from the same family were found dead in a dwelling in the Rosemont district on Friday morning after being stabbed. The main suspect, who is believed to be linked to the victims, was arrested by the police shortly after the events.
Agent Julien Lévesque, spokesperson for the SPVM, confirmed that an initial call was made to 911 around 9:20 a.m. Friday morning concerning inanimate people in an apartment on Bélanger Street. “Once at the scene, officers located three victims. We are talking about three suspicious deaths and bodies that show signs of violence,” he said.
A man deemed “suspicious” and conscious was arrested not far from the scene. He will be met by investigators first. A police intervention had to take place before his arrest, the individual having in particular had to be controlled using cayenne pepper.
In a video circulating extensively on social media, the suspect can be seen handcuffed to the ground as officers enter the home.
According to police sources consulted by La Presse, it could possibly be an intra-family drama, which suggests that the suspect was linked to his three victims. However, the identity or ages of three victims, whose deaths were declared on the spot, are unknown so far. According to our information, several patrol officers and employees of the 911 central had to be taken care of during the event, of incredible violence.
Note: the scene takes place right in front of the Montreal Heart Institute. A large security perimeter is in place on Bélanger Street, between Viau Street and 40th Avenue. Several paramedics were also called to the scene.
An SPVM command post was also sent to the scene. Several citizens crowded around the security perimeter early in the day. “We’re in a peaceful neighborhood here. It gets worrying. It’s people who have the lowest morale. It would take follow-up,” explained Richard Frigon, who has lived in the area for several years.
“It’s appalling. Every person experiences difficulties in 2023. Life is not rosy for anyone. But not everyone is able to come to their senses, ”said Diane Émond, also a resident of the neighborhood who was in shock.
“After Amqui this week […] let’s say that times are tough on feelings. I have many thoughts for the neighbors. Here, it’s a relatively quiet neighborhood, a place where it’s generally good to live, “explained the deputy for Rosemont, Vincent Marissal, met on the spot.
He says he spoke with the Minister of Public Security, François Bonnardel, a little earlier. “There’s a pretty scary level of violence, there’s distress. There are people who suffer a lot. Do these people have the mental health resources? asked Mr. Marissal. “We can’t deny that we have a damn problem with violence in Quebec. It often affects men who seem to have a lot of difficulty dealing with this violence that they have in them,” he added.
Elsewhere on the political scene, the reactions were quick on Friday. Prime Minister François Legault, who was in Amqui on Thursday to provide support following a ram truck attack, said he was monitoring the situation very closely.
“Three lives were taken this morning at Rosemont. It’s awful. My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the victims affected by this tragedy,” he wrote on Twitter.
The mayoress of Montreal, Valérie Plante, also reacted quickly. “I have a thought for the three people who died in horrible circumstances in Rosemont. My condolences to their loved ones,” she said, reiterating that the SPVM will investigate.
A large police intervention was still underway in the afternoon, at the corner of Bélanger and Viau streets. The Major Crimes Section of the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) was tasked with conducting an investigation.
