Police searching across Greater Montreal after alleged gang member killed
Police officers are conducting numerous searches in the Greater Montreal area in relation to the death a man believed to be involved with gangs.
According to Montreal police (SPVM), half a dozen searches are taking place in Montreal, as well as Laval on the North Shore and Brossard on the South Shore.
This comes after a 28-year-old man was gunned down on Feb. 17 at 12:15 a.m. while exiting a restaurant on Bellechasse Street near Saint-Denis Street in the Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie borough.
"The suspect(s) quickly fled the scene," Montreal police note. "A man with serious gunshot wounds was discovered at the scene and died shortly afterwards. Several shell casings were also found on the ground."
The man's death is the sixth homicide on the Montreal territory for 2024.
A 28-year-old man was fatally shot in Montreal's Little Italy neighbourhood on Feb. 17, 2024. (CTV News / Matt Gilmour)
According to a CTV News source, the victim of the drive-by shooting, Jean Brandon Célestin, was the brother of reputed gang leader Jean-Philippe Célestin, a major player in downtown Montreal's drug trade.
According to Daniel Renaud, a reporter at La Presse specializing in organized crime, the Célestin brothers also served as "right-hand men" to organized crime kingpin Gregory Woolley, who was gunned down in November.
"What the experts think, what the observers think, is that right now we're seeing a reorganization of organized crime in Montreal," he explained. "Police think that adversaries want to seize control of drug trafficking activities in Montreal."
Almost 100 police officers with the SPVM, as well as Longueuil police (SPAL) and Laval police (SPL) are participating in Thursday's operation.
Anyone with information about the homicide is encouraged to call 911, visit their local police station or contact Info-Crime Montreal anonymously and confidentially at 514 393-1133 or via the reporting form.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.