Don't walk alone at night, Montreal principal tells students after fatal shooting of 16-year-old boy
Days after a 16-year-old boy was shot and killed in Montreal’s Saint-Michel neighbourhood, the victim’s principal is telling her students to avoid the nearby park and to not walk alone at night.
The disturbing warning on Thursday came after police stepped up their presence at Joseph François Perrault high school.
Police have not made any arrests in the death of Thomas Trudel, who was killed by a gunshot wound to his upper body last Sunday night. His death has sent shockwaves throughout the city as yet another 16-year-old’s life was taken by violent crime.
“It's good to question safety because there are no patrols and I think it would be good to be able to walk the streets at night without being scared of being killed,'' one student told CTV News Thursday.
“It's sad they waited for Thomas’ death before putting in police presence because before this there were plenty of other incidents and gunshots,” said a female student.
In a letter to parents, the school's principal also warned students to avoid the park at night.
However, some students say the problem extends beyond Saint-Michel and that more needs to be done about gun violence in the city.
“We really need to take a look at gun control, especially when it comes to young people,” she said.
“We see what is happening in the U.S. and we don't want it to be the same.”
Laying flowers Thursday afternoon at the site where the Trudel was killed, Premier François Legault joined the growing number of politicians to pay tribute to the teen.
Later Thursday night, Legault told reporters at an announcement about hockey at the Bell Centre that now is the time to repeat efforts of former public safety minister Serge Menard to “clean up the street gangs” as was done in previous years.
Montreal police have not linked Trudel’s death to gang violence or revealed a motive in the killing.
“We're there now, we have to stop it. It's terrible to see a little 16-year-old guy get shot,” Legault said.
“It's one thing to fight in the schoolyard, but to be shot in Montreal? You can't accept that.”
'WE'RE ALL THINKING ABOUT HOW WE CAN DO EVEN MORE': TRUDEAU
Banning handguns is a federal responsibility, he said, adding that Quebec is ready to join them in the fight against gun crime. He also promised there would be an announcement on gun crime in the provincial government’s economic update on Nov. 25. “Watch for that; it's going to be a priority,” he said.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was asked about the issue of gun trafficking across the U.S. border at a news conference in Washington Thursday evening.
He said the government has worked for several years on the issue of guns being smuggled into Canada and that work will continue.
"Obviously, these recent tragedies that we experienced in my riding in Montreal with Mr. Trudel who died — we’re all thinking about how we can do even more. And this is why we’ll continue to work with the Government of Quebec and the municipalities that want to control guns," Trudeau said.
Mayor Valerie Plante has also called on the federal government to do more to fight gun crime and Mohamed Noredine Mimoun, a youth worker, agrees.
“This has gone on for months and there's no solution,” said Mimoun, a co-ordinator with Forum Jeunesse de St-Michel.
“The city looks to the federal government, they look to the provincial — it’s become a game, meanwhile, the community suffers.”
Mimoun has organized a march to raise awareness on the increased gun violence and why it's happening.
“We have to work with the youth to understand why they need guns. Is it fear? Are they too easy to get? Is it a culture of glorification? And then where do the guns come from?” he said.
The memorial march in support of Trudel's family and classmates will be held Saturday at noon in Parc François-Perrault.
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Asking rent prices up 9.3% across Canada, Ontario sees only decline: report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.
WATCH Expecting an interest rate cut in June? Don't bet on it after new jobs data
Canada's labour market rebounded in April, adding more than 90,000 jobs, a staggering number of new positions after four consecutive months of little change.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.