Police arrest 2nd suspect in 2023 shooting of Montreal Jewish school
Posted February 19, 2025 5:13 pm.
Last Updated February 20, 2025 1:49 pm.
Montreal police have arrested a second suspect in connection with shots fired at a Jewish school in Côte-des-Neiges-NDG in November 2023.
The SPVM says a 19-year-old suspect was taken into custody Wednesday morning and was scheduled to appear at the Montreal courthouse later that afternoon.
BACKGROUND: Montreal Jewish school targeted by gunfire for 2nd time in less than a week
The incident happened on Nov. 12, 2023, around 5 a.m. when gunshots were heard on Deacon Road near Van Horne Avenue. Police say a suspect was reportedly seen firing towards Jewish school Yeshiva Gedola, before quickly leaving the scene in a vehicle.
No one was inside the school at the time of the alleged shooting, and no injuries were reported. Police say they arrived to find bullet holes in the school door and shell casings on the ground.
In a statement to CityNews, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs said the latest arrest was “a welcome development,” but that “far more must be done to send a strong message that those who have sought to terrorize Montreal’s Jewish community since Hamas’ October 7 attack will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
“While we recognize the important police work behind this arrest, it is now up to prosecutors and the courts to ensure this case leads to meaningful and lasting change. A strong sentence will deter those intent on continuing this campaign of hate, which has resulted in violence, shootings, firebombings, and vandalism. We will use every available tool to push this objective forward.”
Authorities arrested a first suspect, a 20-year-old man, on May 22, 2024. He was charged with discharging a firearm and theft and receiving stolen vehicles.
Montreal police said at the time they were looking into the possible participation of one or more suspects.
“Various elements collected by the team responsible for the investigation made it possible to identify a second suspect,” the SPVM said in a news release Wednesday.
It was the second time in three days the school was hit by gunfire. In the overnight hours of Nov. 9, 2023, an individual fired gunshots at the building, prompting police to open a hate crime investigation.
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante congratulated police on the second arrest in a social media post, writing: “Let’s hope that this arrest will shed light on this act of violence.”
–With files from Gareth Madoc-Jones
