Suspects arrested in relation to separate shootings in western Montreal boroughs
Montreal police (SPVM) has arrested two people in relation to two separate shooting incidents in the western boroughs of the city.
One of the shootings occurred in the borough of LaSalle on July 7; the other took place in Saint-Laurent on July 11.
"The two events are not related," the force emphasizes. "A third suspect, not related to the two previous events, was also arrested for possession of a prohibited weapon following information received."
According to police, at 2:49 p.m. on July 7, 2021, a driver pulled his Range Rover pulled into the parking lot of his passenger's home.
While the driver was still in the vehicle, the suspect, Hammed Berberi, 25, allegedly got out of his black Mercedes, pointed his firearm and said to the driver: "money, money, money."
The victim then fled the scene. Police say the suspect chased him, firing several shots and hitting him with a projectile.
Berberi was arrested on July 22 and remains in custody.
"A .22 calibre handgun was also seized at the time of his arrest," Montreal police said. "He appeared in court and is facing charges of attempted murder, breach of probation and possession of a prohibited firearm."
In a separate incident on July 11, a dispute broke out between two people.
"After discussion, they agreed to meet in the Saint-Laurent area," Montreal police explain. "The victim got into the suspect's vehicle. The suspect's abnormal behaviour made the victim fear that something was about to happen. As the suspect turned towards the back of the vehicle to retrieve an object, the victim got out, but was shot in the back."
The suspect, Mehdi Mohamed Zaoui, 32, was arrested on July 15 in the Toronto area by York Regional Police.
He appeared in court on charges of attempted murder, discharging a firearm and breach of a restraining order; he remains in custody.
In addition, on July 23, Montreal police arrested Nathaniel Pierre, 36, following a tip from the public.
"A search warrant for his residence, as well as two vehicles, was then executed," the force said. "A loaded .12-gauge sawed-off firearm was found inside one of the vehicles, as well as five rounds of ammunition."
Pierre appeared in court on various charges, including unauthorized possession of a firearm and carrying a weapon for dangerous purposes.
These arrests are the latest in the force's attempt to "make gun violence a priority."
Anyone with information about these or any other violent crimes is asked to contact Info-Crime Montreal anonymously and confidentially at 514 393-1133 or online.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious 'McDonald's murders' in Cape Breton
The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to one of three men convicted in the brutal murders of three McDonald's restaurant workers in Cape Breton more than 30 years ago.
Incident on Calgary's Reconciliation Bridge comes to safe resolution
Nearly 20 hours after a man climbed and remained perched on top of the Reconciliation Bridge in downtown Calgary, the situation came to a peaceful resolution.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.