Killing spree suspect reportedly threatened hospital workers while receiving mental health treatment
Abdulla Shaikh, the man suspected of killing three men at random in the Montreal-area last week, allegedly threatened employees while receiving treatment at a hospital for mental health issues.
According to the Laval health and social service workers' union, Shaikh made death threats to at least two workers in the Cité-de-la-Santé hospital's psychiatric ward after he was admitted there about two years ago.
The patient allegedly learned the last name of one of the workers, leading to serious safety concerns.
"[Shaikh] told him all that was missing was his address. So the guy got really threatened by that. He called the authorities," said Hugo Paquette, spokesperson for the Syndicat des travailleuses et des travailleurs du CISSS de Laval-CSN.
The worker was then moved to a different section of the psychiatric ward and the threats were reported to police, Paquette said.
Laval police (SPL) could not immediately confirm this claim and told CTV News they are looking into it.
Paquette explained that physiatric workers are accustomed to receiving threats, but Shaikh's statements were particularly incessant.
"All the threats kept repeating and repeating and repeating every day."
Now, these threats are cast in a new light.
Shaikh, 26, is believed to be responsible for the deaths of Andre Fernand Lemieux, 64, and Mohamed Salah Belhaj, 48, both fatally shot in Montreal on Tuesday, as well as 22-year-old Alex Levis Crevier, who was shot and killed in Laval on Wednesday.
Montreal police (SPVM) say the weapon Shaikh used was illegally obtained.
Shaikh himself was killed by Montreal police (SPVM) on Thursday during an operation related to the deaths. He was armed at the time, according to police.
SHAIKH DEEMED 'SIGNIFICANT RISK' AHEAD OF KILLINGS
In the wake of these deaths, there are questions regarding whether they could have been prevented.
In March 2021, Quebec's mental health review board ruled Shaikh could continue living outside a psychiatric facility even though a psychiatrist deemed him a "significant risk to public safety."
Despite this, the psychiatrist acknowledged Shaikh had made improvements since leaving the Cité-de-la-Santé hospital in January.
Both the doctor and the board agreed Shaikh could remain outside the hospital so long as he abided by certain conditions.
Speaking to the press on Sunday, Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante said the killings highlight a gaping hole in the system.
"It shows that there needs to be a follow-up on people who are dealing with mental health issues."
She also questioned how Shaikh obtained a gun without a license.
Hugo Paquette also believes Shaikh's case underlines larger issues in the mental health network.
"People need help, and they need treatment," he said. "Sometimes, some people slip through the cracks."
With files from CTV's Joe Lofaro.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say
A man who doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former U.S. President Donald Trump is on trial has died, police said.
Verdun Airbnb listing taken down amid complaints, fines and frustration from neighbours
An Airbnb in Montreal's Verdun borough was the source of much frustration from neighbours who say there were constant parties at the location. It has been taken down from the app, but housing advocates remain upset about short-term rentals.
They were from different countries and barely spoke each other's languages. More than 20 years later, they're still happily in love
He decided to spend Christmas somewhere that wouldn't involve snowstorm disasters. She was spending the holidays with family, travelling for the first time outside of her native country of Venezuela. 23 years later, they're still in love.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Fire in Labrador town under control, officials tells residents to stay away
RCMP say the fire that prompted a state of emergency in a Labrador town is now under control.
12 students and teacher killed in Columbine school shooting remembered at 25th anniversary vigil
Thirteen victims of the Columbine High School shooting were remembered during a vigil Friday on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the shooting that was the worst the nation had seen at the time.
Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza city of Rafah kills at least 9 Palestinians, including 6 children
An Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza's southernmost city killed at least nine people, six of them children, hospital authorities said Saturday, as Israel pursued its nearly seven-month offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Iraq investigates a blast at a base of Iran-allied militias that killed 1. U.S. denies involvement
Iraqi authorities said Saturday that they were investigating an explosion that struck a base belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of Iran-allied militias, killing one person and injuring eight.