Author of the article: Paul Cherry • Montreal Gazette
Publication date: Aug 04, 2022 • 5 minutes ago • 4 minutes read • 5 Comments A victim’s car is tracked near the scene of the shooting. Police shot and killed a man suspected of three homicides. Photo by Allen McInnis /Montreal Gazette

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A suspect in three homicides committed in less than 24 hours in Montreal and Laval was shot by police in a motel parking lot, Montreal police said Thursday morning.

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The bombshell development is the latest chapter in a story that has left some police watchers speculating whether a serial killer was on the loose in the Montreal area. Montreal police have not released details about the Thursday morning shooting, other than that it took place at a motel in the St-Laurent area. Any further questions were referred to Quebec’s bureau of independent investigations (BEI), which is tasked with looking into any police operation in Quebec where death or serious injury occurs. According to a statement issued Thursday morning by the BEI, a Montreal police SWAT team executed a warrant at a motel on Marcel-Laurin Blvd. at 7 a.m. on Thursday. BEI said officers who arrived at the scene were confronted by a gunman, shots were fired and the suspect was struck by at least one bullet. The suspect, 26 years old, was pronounced dead at the scene.

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A parallel investigation into the shooting has been launched by the SQ, which will also provide technical support to the BEI. SQ spokeswoman Audrey-Anne Bilodeau said the man shot at the motel was known to police because he had to respond to calls in the past reporting he was suffering from a mental health problem. “As far as we know, he was not known to the police in terms of organized crime. Montreal police have responded to a few calls (in the past) about mental health (issues) related to this guy,” Bilodeau said. “So we don’t know if it’s due to mental illness or another motive. It is under investigation. “At this time it appears that (the victims) were randomly selected by the suspect. There appears to be no connection between them and the suspect.”

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Bilodeau also confirmed that the man shot at the motel was a suspect in all three murders. Darrell Holmes, a St-Laurent resident who lives near Motel Pierre, said he decided to take an Uber to work Wednesday night because he feared for his life after hearing media reports that victims were being shot at random, including André Lemieux, who was shot in St-Laurent. “I’m always up to date with what’s happening in the news and the fact that it was happening in St-Laurent… you worry about these things. I was very worried. I wasn’t going to stand at a bus stop at night with what was happening.” Holmes said he wasn’t surprised to find out where the suspect was shot. “If you live in St-Laurent, you know that Motel Pierre is not the nicest place in the world,” he said. “Only go there if it’s for something shady.

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“I was neither surprised nor shocked. I was disappointed because St-Laurent is known to be a safe place to live. But now I’m starting to worry. I’m thinking maybe it’s time to move,” Holmes said. “It’s not safe anymore.” Police secure the scene after a man suspected of triple homicide was shot by Montreal police on Aug. 4, 2022. Photo by Allen McInnis /Montreal Gazette A man who works at a car wash near Motel Pierre said he wasn’t surprised to learn a murder suspect had been shot there. “This is really a white area,” said the man, who asked not to be named. “Something bad often happens at this motel. They pulled a body out of it months ago.” Abdel Mefth, another St-Laurent resident who lives near the motel, said he was surprised when he woke up to find out what had happened just 400 meters from his home. “Gun murders are becoming more and more common. It’s really disappointing,” Mefth said. “If it was really random, just for fun, then I don’t see how we can walk around town and feel safe. This motel is very old and has a bad reputation.” Three vehicles parked in a lot that is part of a shopping center next to the motel were surrounded by police tape Thursday morning. Police appeared to be paying particular attention to a white Dodge Challenger with Quebec plates. While the details of what led police to the suspect at the motel have not yet been released, the revelation of a growing number of links between the three murders — all of the victims were on the street at night, alone, and shot at close range — as well as the apparent The randomness of the attacks suggested to some police observers that they might be dealing with a possible serial killer.

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Once again, our police have demonstrated their efficiency and dedication to the safety of Montrealers. Thanks to @SPVM and our partners at @policelaval and @sureteduquebec, for the last 48 hours we have been trying for everyone. #polmtl — Valérie Plante (@Val_Plante) August 4, 2022
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante took to social media Thursday morning to thank the police force involved in the investigation, saying “Once again the police have shown us their efficiency and dedication to the safety of the people of Montreal.” Plante also expressed her condolences to the families of the victims. At 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Laval police responding to a shots fired call found a man in his 20s shot to death on Clermont Street in the city’s Laval-des-Rapides area. The killing followed the fatal shootings a day earlier of two men in Montreal. The first of Tuesday night’s shootings was reported around 9:45 pm at Jules-Poitras and Deguire Blvds. near Roman-Zytynsky park in St-Laurent. Officers found the body of a 64-year-old man who had been shot at least once in the upper body. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim was André Lemieux, father of local professional boxer Dave Lemieux. The second victim was Mohamed Salah Belhaj, 48, who was killed a few kilometers northeast of the first shooting, at an intersection in the Ahuntsic district around 10:50 p.m. in the tent. This story will be updated. A man suspected of killing three people is shot by police in Montreal, Aug. 4, 2022. Photo by Allen McInnis/Montreal Gazette

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