Shooting Incident in Montreal’s Côte-des-Neiges
A gunman with long hair fired shots in the Côte-des-Neiges area of Montreal at around 11:30 a.m. ET on Monday, resulting in the deaths of a police officer and a civilian.
Some reports indicated that the ideology expressed in a manifesto allegedly left by the shooter is primarily “incel” (involuntary celibate). The professor analyzing it characterized the message as highly resentful, particularly about modern gender dynamics and what’s termed “hypergamy,” which refers to women seeking partners of higher status. The document seemed to promote a Marxist viewpoint on women’s choices regarding men and included calls for violence against the capitalist system.
Although authorities noted the manifesto advocated for left-wing “revolutionary terrorism,” they asserted that Monday’s shooting wasn’t classified as an act of terrorism.
Details of the Attack
In the chaos, Officer Mohamed Ramin Benredouan was fatally injured during a gunfight with the suspect. Another officer was severely injured but is reportedly stable. Eyewitness accounts depict the frantic moments as civilian Michael Mizrahi was seen collapsing amidst the gunfire.
It remains unclear whether Mizrahi was shot by the police or the gunman, with the BEI (Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes) now conducting an investigation into the police response.
Witnesses noted that the gunman, dressed in “military-style clothing” and wielding a semi-automatic rifle, emerged during the firefight.
In a press briefing, Montreal Police Chief Fadi Dagher mentioned that a 911 call had been received about someone firing from a high location, but the gunman was found at street level upon police arrival. There’s still some uncertainty regarding potential connections to larger networks, though no additional suspects are currently being sought.
Quebec’s Internal Security Minister, Ian Lafreniere, confirmed that while this shooting was not being viewed as a terrorist act, measures are in place to ensure it isn’t linked to other threats. This assessment was made after consulting multiple agencies, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
The Manifesto’s Content
Reports have emerged indicating that the shooter left behind a “violent incel manifesto” targeting women, which has drawn some attention for its left-leaning rhetoric that proposes violent revolution. However, several outlets did not emphasize this ideological angle.
The lengthy manifesto outlines a rejection of capitalism, advocating for significant changes including the abolition of private property and the establishment of centralized control over various sectors. It condemns the freedoms in Western societies as a form of “mass enslavement” and declares certain groups as the most oppressed in the current system.
Authorities have cautioned the public against speculating about the shooter’s motives while investigations continue to unfold. Premier Christine Frechette emphasized the necessity of allowing law enforcement to conduct their inquiries without assumptions.
