Montreal's Plateau residents calling for increased security after triple homicide
There are growing calls for more security in Montreal, following a triple homicide in the Plateau on Tuesday, and multiple other violent deaths in recent weeks.
Plateau residents are speaking out after a fight between a large group of people led to three stabbing deaths in the Habitations de Mentana social housing complex parking lot.
The incident left 15-year-old boy and and two men in their early 20s dead. Some residents said they are in disbelief.
Mohammad Mobed saw the fight from his sixth-floor balcony, called 911 and watched first responders arrive.
"They were doing CPR for at least an hour without any results," he said.
Mobed said it's common for large groups of young people to gather in the alleyway, but, in his four years of living in the neighbourhood, he's never seen this type of violence.
Ulrick Peterson Celestin was one of the victims. A neighbour told CTV News Celestin died beside the same building he grew up in.
"Right now, I'm in shock," said Celestin's neighbour Nacera, who did not want to give her last name. "His parents were angels. He was a kind person."
Representatives with Montreal's municipal housing office (OMHM), which manages the complex, met with tenants on Thursday.
"Employees, social workers and police officers went door-to-door to refer residents to resources that support witnesses to violent events," said an OMHM spokesperson said.
Mobed said safety concerns need to be addressed.
"If we could move today, I think we probably would," he said.
There were seven homicides in Montreal in the past two weeks.
The Parti Quebecois (PQ) said further action is required to address what it characterizes as a surge in street violence.
"We want more budget to hire, and, as well, we need to increase the budgets in prevention, especially with community organizations that work with youth and prevention of violence," said PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon.
Quebec Public Security Minister Francois Bonnardel responded on X, saying that the government is increasing recruits at Quebec's National Police Academy by 1,100 and finding funding for another 225 Montreal police (SPVM) officers.
The SPVM said that Tuesday's triple homicide was unrelated to organized crime or gangs and that it was the result of a personal conflict that escalated.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Male, female killed, 2 others injured in 'gun battle' outside Toronto plaza: police
Two people are dead and two others suffered serious injuries following a shooting that police have described as a 'gun battle' outside a plaza in Scarborough, Ont. early Wednesday morning.
Canada's envoy to NYC called to testify about $9M condo purchase on 'Billionaires' Row'
Canada's Consul General in New York will have to explain the government's decision to buy a $9 million condo in Manhattan's famous 'Billionaires' Row,' to a parliamentary committee.
Prince Harry says lawsuits against U.K. press 'central piece' in family breakdown
Prince Harry, speaking in clips published on Wednesday from a new documentary, said his legal battles with Britain's tabloid press have contributed to the breakdown of his relationship with the royal family.
Parts of DVP, some TTC stations flooded as Toronto hit with heavy rain
Thunderstorms bringing heavy rain are rolling through Toronto and have caused flooding in some areas, including the Don Valley Parkway.
Bank of Canada cuts interest rate, signals more to come if inflation keeps dropping
The Bank of Canada has decreased its policy interest rate for the second consecutive time and signalled more cuts are coming if inflation continues to ease.
2 wildfires less than 8 km away from Jasper townsite, some structures impacted in national park
As the evacuation order continues for Jasper National Park, officials confirm that some structures in the park have been damaged by fire, but they can't confirm what those structures are.
Olympics: Celine Dion's presence in Paris 'not a coincidence,' says French minister
Celine Dion's presence in Paris a few days ahead of the Olympic Games opening ceremony is 'not a coincidence,' the French government says.
These athletes have been named Canada's Olympic flag-bearers
Decorated sprinter Andre De Grasse and Olympic weightlifting champion Maude Charron will carry Canada's flag into the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on Friday.
Trump rally gunman looked online for information about Kennedy assassination, FBI director says
FBI Director Christopher Wray told lawmakers on Wednesday that a laptop tied to the Trump rally gunman included a Google search of 'How far away was Oswald from Kennedy?'