After a fatal shooting incident on June 22, Montreal authorities clarified that a police officer did not shoot civilian Michel Mizrahi, who tragically lost his life during the operation. The details emerged following an autopsy revealing multiple gunshot wounds, including a fatal shot to the head.
Forensic analysis indicated that the fatal shot had a left-to-right trajectory, inconsistent with the police officer’s position, ruling out her firearm as the source. The officer, relatively new to the force with only 15 months of service, was reportedly being pursued by the assailant.
The perpetrator, armed with an SKS rifle, fatally shot the officer’s patrol partner, Const. Mohamed Lamine Benredouane, before being neutralized by the police. The officer sustained injuries to the arm and abdomen during the exchange.
Misconceptions circulated on social media, fueled by videos of the incident, suggesting the officer mistakenly shot Mizrahi. The officer, who faced death threats while recovering in the hospital, has not been confirmed as the shooter by authorities.
Montreal Police Chief Fady Dagher expressed support for the officer and denounced the premature judgments based on incomplete information. The incident unfolded at a Hilton hotel in the Côte-des-Neiges neighborhood, sparking a confrontation between law enforcement and the armed individual.
Ongoing investigations are being conducted by various agencies, including Quebec’s police watchdog, provincial police, and the coroner’s office, to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragic event.