'It's disgusting': Quebec minister reacts after body of boy, 14, found near Hells Angels hideout
The province's public security minister said he was "shocked" Thursday amid reports that a body believed to be that of a 14-year-old boy was found this week near a Hells Angels hideout near Quebec City.
Noovo Info reported that the teen was from the Montreal area and allegedly recruited by a street gang from the region.
According to teens interviewed by Noovo Info near the victim's high school, the boy had reportedly gone to Quebec's Beauce region to carry out a contract. His body was found near the outlaw biker gang's hideout in Frampton, about 80 kilometres south of Quebec City.
The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) has not yet released the victim's identity.
"It's disgusting for street gangs to recruit young people, children, to do their dirty work," public security minister François Bonnardel wrote in a post on X.
"I'm reassured to know that the SQ will have a strong presence in Frampton over the next few days. I have every confidence in our provincial police force to carry out the necessary investigations and reassure the public in eastern Quebec."
An SQ spokesperson said officers were deployed to shed light on the suspicious death of a male that happened overnight on Sept. 16 on Rang 2 in Frampton.
A person arrested in connection with the death was released with a promise to appear in court at a later date.
According to Noovo Info, identifying the body has been challenging due to the victim's injuries. The teen was reportedly mutilated.
The investigation is ongoing.
Increased police presence in Frampton
The SQ addressed the violence on Thursday, saying they are concerned about the sense of security in the community. Officers will be meeting with residents to gather information about recent events and deploy a mobile command post in Frampton on Friday and Monday of next week.
There will also be an increased police presence in the area.
"We are aware that the police have a meticulous investigation to carry out and that they cannot elaborate on this in order to preserve its integrity. However, as citizens, we have a collective duty to inform the police of any information that we believe may or may not be related to what happened recently," said Frampton Mayor Jean Audet in a statement Thursday.
Police ask anyone with information about any criminal event to contact the Criminal Information Centre at 1-800-659-4264.
Shots fired in Mauricie region
Provincial police also received reports from residents in Hérouxville, Que., of gunshots near the Hells Angels hideout on Rang Saint-Pierre.
When police arrived on the scene, they confirmed that shots had been fired. However, no injuries have been reported.
"The target is the Trois-Rivières Hells Angels premises. The event appears to have been targeted. The reasons for this incident will be investigated," the SQ said in a news release.
Crime scene technicians were still on site on Thursday afternoon, examining the scene.
Rang St-Pierre was closed between Route Lefebvre and Chemin St-Timothée.
With files from Noovo
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING PM Justin Trudeau planning to oversee long-awaited cabinet shuffle on Friday: sources
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is planning to shuffle his cabinet on Friday, sources confirm to CTV News. The long-awaited reconfiguration of Trudeau's front bench comes amid turmoil for the Liberal government after the shocking resignation of Chrystia Freeland.
Toronto police officer dies after suspected medical incident while on duty
The Toronto Police Service has confirmed that one of its officers died while on duty on Thursday morning.
Potential scenarios for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberals
The Liberal government was thrown into disarray this week when Chrystia Freeland stepped down from cabinet as finance minister, reviving calls for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step down or call an election.
Conan O'Brien pays tribute to his parents who died within days of each other
Conan O’Brien is remembering his recently deceased parents. In an interview with the Boston Globe, the former late night television host talked about his mother, Ruth Reardon O’Brien, who died last Thursday, and Dr. Thomas F. O’Brien, who preceded his wife in death three days earlier.
Child struck by vehicle south of London has died
According to an online fundraiser organized by a family friend, the boy who was hit by a driver south of London earlier this week has died.
Amazon workers strike at multiple facilities as Teamsters seek labour contract
Workers at seven Amazon facilities went on strike Thursday, an effort by the Teamsters union to pressure the e-commerce company for a labour agreement during a key shopping period.
Suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO killing faces federal murder, stalking and weapons charges
The suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO was whisked back to New York by helicopter Thursday to face new federal charges of murder and stalking, escalating the case after his earlier indictment on state charges.
Google Maps image provides clue in Spanish missing persons case
Chance images captured by a passing Google Maps camera showing a man leaning over a large bag or bags in a car trunk with what could be a human body gave police an extra clue in a murder investigation in the central Spanish village of Tajueco.
A 20-year-old blind cat is rescued from an icy Massachusetts pond after some quick thinking
Tiki, a 20-year-old blind black-and-white cat, likes to roam about outdoors. But this time he caused a scare after he was seen on ice floating in a Massachusetts pond and then fell in.