Montreal police have identified the officer killed in Monday’s deadly Côte-des-Neiges hotel shooting as 34-year-old Mohamed Lamine Benredouane, a member of the force since 2021, as investigators examine the suspect’s motive and police agencies assess a warning about a possible anti-police manifesto.
Benredouane was killed Monday morning after a suspect opened fire near an entrance to the Hilton hotel in Montreal’s Côte-des-Neiges district. A civilian, identified by the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs as Michael Moshe Mizrahi, was also killed. The suspect died at the scene, while a second police officer suffered serious injuries.
Montreal Officer Killed After 911 Call At Hilton Hotel
Montreal police Chief Fady Dagher said officers were called around 11:35 a.m. after a report that someone was sticking a gun out of a hotel window. When police arrived, they were met with gunfire.
“It’s a very, very sad day. It’s a nightmare,” Dagher told reporters, noting that Montreal had not lost an officer in the line of duty in 24 years.
Dagher said the injured officer was in stable condition. He said the suspect had a long gun and was killed, adding that police do not believe there was a second suspect. He also said investigators had not confirmed who shot the civilian victim.
Anti-Police Manifesto Warning Shared With B.C. Forces
Police in British Columbia were warned Monday afternoon about the possible existence of documentation or a manifesto urging violence against police officers.
“Following the tragic events of what happened in Montreal earlier today, police in British Columbia were advised that there is the possibility of either documentation or some type of manifesto that is rumoured to be out there calling on individuals to target and commit violence against police officers,” Surrey Police Service Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton said.
Houghton said the warning came from an intelligence-sharing unit operating out of RCMP B.C. headquarters.
Watchdog Investigation Underway
A large police response shut down part of the multicultural Côte-des-Neiges neighbourhood, which includes residential buildings and businesses. Authorities issued an emergency alert for an armed and dangerous suspect, asking residents to shelter in place. The alert led to temporary closures on the Décarie expressway and sections of two metro lines.
Dagher later confirmed the suspect was already dead before the alert was sent. Authorities lifted it shortly after 3 p.m.
Quebec’s Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes has assigned 10 agents to investigate the police operation. Quebec provincial police will conduct a parallel criminal investigation.
Quebec Domestic Security Minister Ian Lafrenière said several agencies, including the RCMP, were consulted before investigators concluded the shooting was not a terrorist attack. He declined to comment further on the suspect’s identity or motive, citing the ongoing investigation.
