Montreal police investigating after windows smashed at McGill University
Posted February 6, 2025 8:59 am.
Last Updated February 6, 2025 2:18 pm.
Montreal police (SPVM) are investigating after a group of people shattered the windows of a McGill University building late Wednesday.
Calls came in to 911 around 8:20 p.m. about several individuals smashing the windows of a building located on Sherbrooke Street near Peel.
The group allegedly vandalized one building very quickly before fleeing on foot, said officer Jean-Pierre Brabant.
According to McGill University, the group consisted of about 40 people, “smashing windows in five buildings and disrupting classes and exams taking place at that time. These actions, which caused extensive damage, created panic and anxiety among students, faculty and staff on site.”
Graffiti was also found on a couple of pillars of the Roddick Gates on Sherbrooke.
Police say no injuries have been reported and no arrests have been made so far.
Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage, in hopes of identifying potential suspects.
In a statement to CityNews, McGill says that the acts “were intended to intimidate our campus community and bully us into changing the University’s decision regarding proposals from some to Boycott, Divest and Sanction (BDS) the State of Israel. The University’s position rejecting BDS remains clear and firm.”
Over the last year and a half, several pro-Palestinian demonstrations took place on campus, including a weeks-long encampment.
