2 killed Montreal shooting, including police officer; suspect 'neutralized'

A police officer and a citizen in Montreal were shot and killed by an armed suspect in the Canadian city on Monday, June 22, local authorities said. 

The suspect shot and killed the officer and a citizen before being "neutralized," Montreal police said. City Police Chief Fady Dagher said a second officer wounded in the shooting is in stable condition. The wounded officer is a woman.

"It’s a very, very sad day, it’s a nightmare," Dagher told reporters at a news conference Monday afternoon. "But we have to be solid. We have to be solid for the lady police officer who survived and we’re all behind her."

The shooting took place in the city’s Côte-des-Neiges neighborhood, known for the Saint Joseph's Oratory, a popular tourist attraction for visitors looking for a view of the city.

Côte-des-Neiges is also known as a prominent Jewish neighborhood. Asked to confirm whether any victims of the shooting were members of the Jewish community, Dagher said he did not have that information.

Montreal Jewish community leaders identified the citizen killed in the attack as a member of the local religious community while cautioning that it was not clear the attack was motivated by antisemitism. 

"This officer made the ultimate sacrifice in protecting the citizens of Montreal. Our thoughts are with his loved ones as well as the entire police community that mourns this immense loss," Rabbi Saul Emanuel, executive director of the Council of the Jewish Community of Montreal, said in a statement. "We are also deeply shaken to learn of the death of Michael Moshe ben Miriam / ben Shlomo (Michael Mizrachi). We extend our most sincere condolences to his family and loved ones during this time of indescribable pain."

Dagher said police are searching for a motive and did not have much information on the suspect. 

Police did not immediately share the identities of anyone involved in the shooting. Dagher said there was nothing to indicate any other suspects were involved.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was "appalled" by the violence.

"I was appalled to learn that a police officer and a civilian were killed and that other people were injured during a shooting that took place today in Montreal," Carney said in a statement. "My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones, the first responders, and the entire Côte-des-Neiges community. I want to express my gratitude to our courageous police officers, whose heroic dedication ensures the protection of our communities."

Dagher's update for the media came shortly after police first confirmed the death of an officer in the shooting. The killing of the Montreal police officer is the first death in the line of duty in the city in decades, Dagher said. 

Police had previously alerted the public that there was an "armed and dangerous suspect" in the area of the shooting at about 12:30 p.m. ET.