Old Montreal fire: another building owned by same landlord shot at overnight

Montreal police arrested three young people — aged 17, 19 and 20 — after shots were fired Tuesday night near Old Montreal.

No one was injured but there are bullet holes in the building and shell casings were found on the ground.

The building is listed as the office for Benamor Avocats and is owned by Emile Benamor — the owner of two Old Montreal buildings that caught fire in the last two years, killing a total of nine people. CTV News reached out to Benamor's lawyer but has not yet heard back.

Michel Likeng Mbappe, 20, and Ryann Kimbatsa, 19, each faced six charges related unauthorized firearm possession and use at the Montreal courthouse.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be identified because he's a minor, appeared in youth court.

The gunshots were heard at around 11:50 p.m. near Saint-Antoine and Berri streets in the Ville-Marie borough, near Viger Square. 

According to police, a small white truck was seen leaving the scene shortly after. It was later spotted going west on René-Lévesque Boulevard near Sanguinet Street before being intercepted by police at the corner of l'Hôtel-de-Ville Avemie and Boisbriand Street.

"Three men aged 17, 19 and 20 were in the small truck and were arrested. They were taken to the investigation centre for further proceedings. A firearm was located in the vehicle in question," said Montreal police (SPVM) spokesperson Const. Jean-Pierre Brabant.

The SPVM investigators will go back to the place where the shots were fired and the place where the suspects were intercepted. Forensic indentification technicians are also on the case, said Brabant. 

A public inquiry and criminal investigation into the Oct. 4 fire are ongoing. The Crown prosecutor's office is still evaluating the file for last year's fire and will decide if charges will be laid.

With files from The Canadian Press