The defendant stabbed a court interpreter At the Longueuil courthouse when he was arrested, he said he wanted to attack someone “in the system.”
• Also read – Court interpreter stabbed: shocked colleagues praise him
Alexandre Garcés, 44, was formally charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, assault and weapons possession.
Photo from Alexandre Garcés' Facebook account
He appeared on Wednesday at the same place where he is said to have committed his crime the day before.
The brutal knife attack caused panic and confusion for several minutes at the courthouse on Tuesday lunchtime.
Several witnesses saw the victim covered in blood shortly after the attack. Hai Thach, an interpreter known to many in the legal community, remains hospitalized in critical condition at the time of writing.
After being attacked in a stall, he managed to seek refuge in a bathroom. When he was found, he fell to the ground, they said.
Looking for a lawyer
Mr. Thach was clearly the victim of an unfounded attack. According to our information, the defendant expressed a grudge against “the system” shortly after the attack.
Shortly before he attacked the victim, he is said to have asked to speak to a lawyer.
Longueuil city police confirmed Garcés was not known to the authorities.
According to initial findings, he had nothing to do with the courthouse at the time of the tragedy, neither as a defendant nor as a witness.
Garcés was not present at his brief appearance. He would indeed have difficulty finding a prosecutor, especially because the Legal Aid Office in Longueuil poses a significant conflict of interest.
The day after the attempted murder of an interpreter, police were still outside the apartment of the suspect, Alexandre Garcés, 44, on Rue Joliette in Longueuil. Photo Jonathan Tremblay
Most lawyers know several of the witnesses, but also the victim.
He must take steps to be represented in court for his return scheduled for Thursday.
-With Élizabeth Laplante
With great tension you return to the courthouse
The day after a violent knife attack, life returned to normal in the Longueuil courthouse, but the tense atmosphere was still palpable.
“People are worried and shocked. It happened in our workplace, it has an impact! », introduced me Erin Kavanagh, deputy chief prosecutor at the Longueuil criminal and law enforcement agency.
I Erin Kavanagh from the DPCP. Photo agency QMI, Maxime Deland
An assistance service was also set up for employees who needed to conduct conversations or ventilate.
“It is important to be there for those who feel the need. Every person reacts differently,” she explained.
Two investigators from the Longueuil Agglomeration Police Department's major criminal investigation unit were still on site that morning and interviewed witnesses.
Security measures were also taken in the courthouse. Initially, three police officers in patrol cars were stationed in front of each of the three entrances. Additionally, only one entrance to the building was open.
Lack of equipment
A bailiff then asked people why they were there and directed them to the correct room.
Meanwhile, a special police officer examined everyone to prevent any suspicious person from entering the establishment. You do not have the right to systematically search people.
“Our only ability to conduct a search is if a judge orders it or if we have reasonable grounds to believe a person is armed. Otherwise we cannot intervene,” explained the president of the special police union, Franck Perales.
Even Longueuil District Coordinating Judge Julie-Maude Greffe took the time to ensure that the security measures in place were working properly. She also addressed the police officers regarding their intervention the previous day.
Mr. Perales also praised the police officers' promptness in assisting the victim.
On the other hand, he regrets the lack of medical equipment available to those providing security in courthouses.
“We have nothing against gunshot or knife wounds,” he denounced.
He plans to push for more equipment, including thick compresses that paramedics use to hold back blood after a serious injury.