Three people were shot and injured in the park near the Collège Montmorency in Laval, forcing students and staff to lock themselves within the walls of the school as a preventative measure.
• Also read: [EN IMAGES] Two suspects, including one in a bulletproof vest, arrested in Cégep Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
The call was received by Laval police around 5.20pm for a person who had been shot, who then took refuge in Cégep, said Geneviève Major, spokeswoman for Laval police.
Two other people were also injured in the incident at the park. The three victims were taken to a hospital, but there is no fear for their lives, the spokesman said.
A large-scale police operation was carried out around the Cégep as the suspect is still being sought.
Action was also taken at the University of Montreal’s Laval campus, where it was mentioned on Facebook that “no access is currently authorized on campus.” “However, people can leave our facilities,” it said.
This event takes place a few hours after the containment of students at the Cégep de Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. A suspicious young man had been arrested wearing a bulletproof vest.
Sophie Gauthier was in her room in a student residence a few steps from CEGEP when she saw the large police presence through her window. Students who approached the establishment told him they saw the victims of the shooting.
“She saw people scream and bleed. Another heard gunshots. I have not heard anything. I was in the shower,” says the 23-year-old, who studies child-education technology at the Collège Montmorency.
“Amazed and shocked” that a shooting is taking place so close to her home, she fears for her safety.
“I would say I’m scared. I don’t feel like going out. Is he [le tireur] will you come back here What will happen? It’s a bit hazy.”
Just before 6pm, Patrick Taillon received a disturbing text message from his son Antoine, who was finishing his last lesson of the day.
“He texted us that he and his class were locked inside the school with their teacher and that the police were outside,” says Mr Taillon, whose son is studying computer science at the Collège Montmorency. “He’s with his colleagues and they’re listening to the messages on their phones,” he continues.
I am closely following the development of the situation at the Collège Montmorency and follow the call that the Service de received @policelaval, after a shooting. I am in close contact with the Laval Police as the police operation is ongoing and the situation is evolving.
— Stephane Boyer (@StphanBoyer) November 11, 2022
Patrick Taillon was immediately seized with agony and tried by all means to determine if his son’s safety was at risk. He feared the worst-case scenario, that of a mad gunman targeting the students.
“I was very worried. What’s going to happen? Is he safe? Will they find the shooter? Is he still available? We have a lot of questions going through our minds at the moment.”
“What comes to mind is what’s happening in the United States, or events like at the Polytechnique,” he continues. We’re trying to have more news before we get a sense of panic.
This event takes place a few hours after the containment of students at the Cégep de Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. A suspicious young man had been arrested wearing a bulletproof vest.
In addition, measures are also being taken on the UdeM Laval campus. “Currently no access to the UdeM Laval campus is authorized. However, people can leave our facilities,” the University of Montreal authorities write.