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
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.