Montreal police officers who were allegedly shot dead by a man armed with a submachine gun in the crisis on Sunday actually escaped him, according to striking images obtained by The newspaper.
• Also read: Montreal police officers targeted
Jacques Foulem, who was struck at his home on rue Saint-Zotique Est this morning, was visibly shaken by the tragedy that happened right outside his home.
“It’s still incredible to see, he says. It’s a super quiet area here, where everyone knows everyone. It’s sad, it’s not just in the north of the island anymore, it’s done here too.
The thing is, the Rosemont resident has two security cameras overlooking the street, and one of them was filming what could well have turned into a tragedy.
MAXIME DELAND/QMI AGENCY
The front door of this small family home on rue Saint-Zotique Est in Rosemont was barricaded shortly after the police operation.
It was around 6:40 a.m. when officers were called to a single-family home near 25th Avenue.
When they arrived, they quickly felt the tension and realized they had to get inside quickly. One of them smashed the window in the front door.
Photo agency QMI, Thierry Laforce
About the balcony
At that moment, a 48-year-old man armed with a submachine gun reportedly charged in front of them and opened fire in their direction before his gun was jammed.
As the neighbor’s surveillance video shows, the first officer rushes down the small landing to take cover, while the second jumps over the balcony and lands in the snow. Luckily they weren’t hurt.
Photo agency QMI, Thierry Laforce
The officers then fled behind vehicles parked on the side of the road and called for reinforcements.
“We really feel the panic when we see the video,” Mr Foulem said.
The suspect’s 71-year-old mother was also at the home. It was she who would have dialed 911 when she saw her son’s unstable condition. She suffered no injuries.
Thierry Laforce / QMI Agency
Julien Giard showed no resistance and was arrested shortly afterwards. He was charged this afternoon at the Montreal courthouse with negligent use of a firearm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and assault with a weapon against a peace officer.
remains imprisoned
Giard looked embarrassed, pursed his lips, was bound at the wrists and ankles, and had no lawyer. He was eventually represented by a legal aid intern. He returns to court on Wednesday to set a date for his bail hearing.
“The file is still being analyzed and new charges may be brought,” Me Marie-Ève Rodrigue of the Crown said.
Giard has a few criminal records, including theft, burglary and trespassing, obstruction of police work, and possession of burglary tools.
– With Michaël Nguyen and Maxime Deland
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