The murder of a woman in Pointe-aux-Trembles on Monday night marked Montreal’s 40th homicide of the year, a remarkable number, according to a retired inspector.
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“What we need to remember from this 40th murder is 2022, which is going to be a memorable year, but not in a good way, in relation to the murders we had,” André Durocher said in an interview with LCN.
He also points out the high number of firearms used in these murders.
“If we go back to 2019 there were six homicides committed with firearms and as we speak it’s 19 or 20 if [celui de Pointe-aux-Trembles] was committed with a firearm,” Mr. Durocher said.
However, it remains to distinguish between the murders committed by street gangs and others in order to fully understand the magnitude of the phenomenon.
However, the retired SPVM inspector believes the pandemic may have a hand in this increase in homicide rates.
“I’m not a psychiatrist or psychologist by training, but I think it’s maybe a bit like post-pandemic fed up,” he says.
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic will be felt in the long term, he believes.
“We’re coming out of the pandemic, there’s inflation. It’s sure to be no stranger to resurgence,” he explains.
Watch the full interview in the video above.