A tragic incident involving a firearm in Saint-Vallier, Bellechasse, Quebec, resulted in the death of a minor and serious injuries to another individual on Sunday evening. The police responded to a residence on De Valléville Road in the town adjacent to Quebec City at approximately 4 p.m. where they discovered a minor who had been shot and was unresponsive. Despite being rushed to the hospital, the minor succumbed to the injuries.
The Centre de services scolaire de la Côte-du-Sud, a local educational institution, confirmed that the deceased minor was a female student at a nearby elementary school. However, they did not disclose the details regarding the other minor involved in the incident.
Authorities have refrained from revealing the ages, genders, or relationship between the two minors. The school service center deployed a team of professionals to provide psychological support to the students following the tragic event.
The second minor, who sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries, was promptly hospitalized and is currently in stable condition. The circumstances surrounding the incident remain uncertain, and it is unclear whether it was accidental. The police have yet to question the injured minor, delaying the confirmation of the incident’s nature.
The Mayor of Saint-Vallier, Alain Vallières, expressed deep sorrow over the tragic event and the loss of a young life. He highlighted that both individuals were highly respected and actively involved in the community, emphasizing the profound impact of the incident on the tight-knit community of around 450 residents.
Law enforcement has established a command post at the scene, with multiple patrol cars present as the investigation unfolds. It has been clarified that the incident is not linked to any organized crime activities in the region. The police are actively investigating the matter to determine the exact circumstances that led to the tragic outcome.