Following a deadly shooting incident on June 22, social media speculation about a Montreal police officer firing at civilian Michel Mizrahi, who died during the event, has been debunked by sources from Radio-Canada. Initial reports on this matter were disclosed by La Presse on Wednesday. Post-mortem findings revealed that Mizrahi sustained multiple gunshot wounds, with a fatal injury to the head.
Insights from Radio-Canada indicate that the trajectory analysis of the fatal shot points towards a left-to-right impact, contradicting the possibility of it originating from below Mizrahi, which would not align with the officer’s position. This detail allowed forensic experts to dismiss the theory of the shot being fired from the officer’s weapon.
The police officer involved, with only 15 months of service, was reportedly being chased by the assailant, leading up to the tragic event. The perpetrator had previously shot and killed the officer’s partner, Const. Mohamed Lamine Benredouane, who was found nearby. The assailant, armed with an SKS rifle, inflicted injuries on the police officer’s arm and abdomen before being neutralized by law enforcement.
Numerous videos depicting the incident circulated on social platforms, causing a misconception that the officer mistakenly shot Mizrahi upon his sudden appearance. While receiving treatment in critical condition at a hospital, the officer faced death threats. Montreal Police Chief Fady Dagher, in an interview with Radio-Canada, expressed anticipation for the officer to be recognized for her actions, without validating the details released by La Presse.
The Chief acknowledged the challenges faced by the officer on that fateful day, stating that if the reports are accurate, he finds the situation deeply troubling. The officer’s ordeal included being shot, sustaining severe injuries, slipping into a coma, and facing public scrutiny as the one responsible for Mizrahi’s demise, which he deemed unjust.
At approximately 11:35 a.m. on June 22, authorities received alerts of an armed individual at a Hilton hotel in the Côte-des-Neiges neighborhood. Upon arrival, a confrontation erupted between Montreal police and the armed suspect. Investigations by various authorities, including Quebec’s police watchdog, provincial police service, and the coroner’s office, are ongoing to ascertain further details surrounding the incident.
