Laval police arrest alleged gang member following May 9 drive-by shooting
Laval police say they have made an "important" arrest of an alleged gang member in connection with an attempted murder last spring that investigators believe had ties to an inter-gang conflict.
The May 9 drive-by shooting on Dumouchel Street, in the city's Chomedy district, shocked residents after shots rang out in broad daylight. Officers did not locate any victims after the shooting that happened around 2:20 p.m., but found shell casings near the scene.
Police said Wednesday that Jemsley Olivier Printemps Sanon, 25, was arrested on charges of attempted murder, discharge of a firearm with intent and possession of a restricted firearm. He was arrested while already in jail on unrelated charges from Montreal.
The accused is linked to the Flamehead Boys street gang in Laval, police allege.
"It's a street gang that is operating in Laval and is in conflict with another street gang — Chomedy 45 — so it's important for us to tell the people that [the arrest] will have an impact on those street gangs," said Laval's deputy police chief, Jean François Rousselle, in an interview Wednesday.
"They are shooting at each other for all kinds of matters. Maybe it's about to gain any territory but sometimes it's because there's a conflict about a girlfriend."
POLICE SENDING A 'BOLD' MESSAGE
Rouselle said the gangs are involved in all kinds of crimes, including prostitution, theft, and drug trafficking, which helps fund the purchase of guns.
He said the arrest hopefully sends a "bold" message to criminals. "We are there, we will investigate, and obviously we will arrest you as well when we have all the means to do it."
Officers have had to adapt their investigative efforts and spend part of their time monitoring the social media activity of suspected gang members, he added. "It's a new phenomenon."
Laval police said they could not officially link Wednesday's arrest to other drive-by shootings around the same time as the May 9 shooting.
On May 8, a 28-year-old man was killed and his 14-year-old nephew was seriously injured while the car they were travelling in was shot up as they left a family party at the Paragon reception hall on Curé-Labelle Boulevard. Junior Lemoyne Printemps died in the gunfire that also injured his teen nephew, Sandrick Jorcelin, who was visiting family from the Boston area that weekend.
Police did not confirm or deny media reports that claimed Printemps has a family connection to the suspect who was arrested Wednesday, as they share the same last name.
On May 10, a 33-year-old man was shot dead in broad daylight on Beauregard Street near Normandin Street in the Chomedey district of the city.
Anyone who has information about the May 9 shooting or other recent gun crimes is asked to call Laval police on the confidential Info-Police Line at 450-662-INFO (4636) or dial 911.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Oh my God, you're my brother': Man in his 70s discovers 6 unknown siblings
After receiving a DNA kit one Christmas from his son-in-law, Hugh McCormick soon discovered that he had six unknown siblings, with whom he shared the same birth parents.
No refund for travellers who cancelled flight already scrapped by airline: regulator
Four years on, the controversy over whether airlines owed refunds to passengers after cancelling hundreds of thousands of flights during the pandemic continues to simmer, aggravated by a sluggish, opaque complaints process.
Just how bad are ultraprocessed foods? Here are 5 things to know
Many foods fall under the category of ultraprocessed foods, depending on their exact ingredients. This type of food has been studied a lot lately, and the results aren’t great.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Rates of cancer declining in Canada, but more work needed to save lives: projections
A new study projecting declining rates of cancer cases and deaths in Canada demonstrates the success of prevention and early detection programs, but also highlights areas where more work is needed to save and prolong lives, researchers say.
DEVELOPING Trump trial arrives at a pivotal moment: Star witness Michael Cohen is poised to take the stand
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial is set to take the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Canucks hold off Oilers for 4-3 win in Game 3
Brock Boeser had two goals and an assist, and the Vancouver Canucks hung on for a 4-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of their second-round Stanley Cup playoff series.
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.
Man fatally 'slashed in the neck' in downtown Toronto, suspect outstanding
Police are searching for a male suspect after a man was “slashed in neck” on Sunday morning in downtown Toronto and died.