DDO mayor demands justice ministry review after 2024 police shootout injures innocent bystanders

The mayor of Dollard-des-Ormeaux is speaking out following an incident involving a shootout between Montreal police and a suspect, which resulted in two innocent bystanders and the suspect being shot on Aug. 4, 2024.

In a press release, Quebec’s Crown prosecution office concluded that its analysis of the investigation—conducted by the BEI, Quebec’s police watchdog—did not reveal any criminal offence by the Montreal police officers involved.

DDO’s mayor, Alex Bottausci, is not satisfied with this conclusion and is now calling on Quebec’s Minister of Justice to get involved.

“At the core, and what’s motivating me, is the safety of my residents and all residents. This is my duty and responsibility as mayor,” said Alex Bottausci, Mayor of Dollard-des-Ormeaux. “I’ve reached out to the Minister of Justice. I want them to look at the prosecuting attorney, the rules they followed, and the work that was done.”

Abdel Rahman Abdallah, 18 at the time, and his father, Houssam Abdallah, then 54, were unpacking after a camping trip in front of their DDO home. Gunfire broke out after a suspect allegedly tried to steal their car and shot at police. Between 30 and 40 shots were reportedly fired. The son was shot once, and the father—who was hit five or six times—is still recovering.

“It’s a long road to recovery,” said Bottausci. “He’s walking with canes, with a walker. He’s had to undergo six, seven, maybe even eight operations over the past year. It’s heart-wrenching to see this and to be with this family. My heart really goes out to them, and I only wish them well and the best of health.”

Bottausci has also requested that Quebec’s Minister of Public Security review police conduct during the shootout.

Quebec’s Minister of Public Security told CityNews in a statement: “The Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes and the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions carry out their duties independently of the Minister of Public Security. We have full confidence in these two institutions. The Ministry of Public Security will take note of the Mayor’s comments and respond in due course.”

“I’m asking the Minister of Public Security to get involved because that office is responsible for public safety—looking into how the police conducted themselves and whether they followed proper procedures or went beyond their mandate,” said Bottausci. “We definitely don’t want something like this to ever happen again. In addition, I’m also requesting an independent review of the BEI to ensure that all angles were covered and that nothing was overlooked by the agency responsible for investigating police conduct.”

CityNews also reached out to DPCP and they say that criminal proceedings are currently pending against a person involved in the police intervention. “DPCP independent investigation into the event that occurred in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, the DPCP will not lay charges. The detailed reasons cannot be made public at this time in order to preserve the fairness and integrity of the judicial process.”

“Those injured in the events have already been met and informed of the above prior to the release of the June 11, 2025 news release,” added the DPCP. “Given the confidentiality obligations incumbent on us, we unfortunately cannot confirm the details of the events of August 4, 2024 or associate them with the name of an accused, since this is not information of a public judicial nature.”

The mayor also wants the Quebec government to invoke the Protecteur du citoyen—Québec’s independent parliamentary ombudsman—to investigate whether police procedures were properly followed.

“A lot still needs to be answered—and these answers need to be given to the family,” said Bottausci. “I’m asking for those answers now, and I’m asking the ministers. I’ve gone to the highest level I can to ask these tough questions, to have them review the process and ensure that something like this never happens again.”