BAIE D'URFE - One year after she was shot and paralyzed during a holdup at an SAQ outlet in Baie d'Urfe, Helene Leduc has returned to her former workplace.
Leduc was working at the liquor store on Oct. 18, 2010 when two men came into the store just after 12 p.m,, walked right up to her and ordered her to kneel on the ground, then shot her in the back of the neck.
The two men ran off without taking anything, and it was 20 minutes before another client entering the story discovered Leduc lying unconscious on the ground.
Ever since she has been paralyzed, unable even to lift a glass of water to her lips.
"I can't hug my grandchildren. They run to me and want to jump in my arms but I can't even hug them," she said.
Leduc says she still appreciates life in spite of the rough patches.
"Live life to the fullest," said Leduc. "Enjoy, appreciate all things. Live each moment as if it's your last."
Leduc has inspired others with her will to persevere.
"Coming here today, to where all this happened and wanting to speak and to see her friends and colleagues, I don't know how she's doing it," said family friend Louise Ryder-Cousineau.
The incident has also inspired the provincially-run liquor store chain to ramp up security.
"We have really tightened up our safety procedures," says Isabelle Merizzi of the SAQ.
The police search for the suspects and for a man who was in the store minutes before the attack have been futile.
The culprits are two men who were wearing hooded sweatshirts and spoke English -- but their faces cannot be clearly seen on surveillance video.
Sun Youth is offering a $10,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest or conviction of the culprits.
Police are planning to announce a new development on the case soon.
"We need to bring these suspects in front of justice. They've got to pay for the horrible crime that they've committed," said Ian Lafreniere of the Montreal Police.
