Over a thousand march at vigil in honour of 15-year-old teen fatally shot by police on Montreal’s South Shore

More than a thousand people gathered on Montreal’s South Shore Saturday to honour 15-year-old Nooran Rezayi, who was fatally shot by Longueuil police last Sunday.

Handwritten messages and photos of the teen filled the memorial site as attendees showed their support for Rezayi’s family and called for justice.

White flowers were also laid out at the memorial, symbolizing peace and solidarity.

“I didn’t believe it at first but when I saw like the place that he died I really got emotional and that’s when it all started to hit me that he’s actually not here,” said Madena Madade, Highschool colleague.

Many of the attendees saying they are struggling to understand how the life of someone so young could be taken away.

“I don’t understand like, (the officer) was scared of a 15-year-old boy? He shot him double times – not even (just) once,” said Mohammad Zarif Ahmedi, family friend.

“Even if its police, you don’t have to commit homicide because you’re police,” said Dahlia Hadi, attendee who came to pay respect. “The police should have consequences.”

The incident also had attendees questioning if Rezayi’s death was an example of racial profiling.

“Id like them to be more respectful towards young groups, to young people,” said Madade. “And pretty much be less racist and respect us in the same way we respect them.”

There was also fear from the Afghan community that Rezayi was a part of. They say they fled their country seeking safety – only to question it now.

“We are refugees,” said Ahmedi. “We are immigrated from Afghanistan to have a better life in Canada. The next day you don’t know – if we are not safe here. The police, man.”

“We left our country just to keep our children safe,” said Baha, the mother of one of Rezayi’s classmates. “I have two children. I am really worried. I don’t know why this is happening.”

A peaceful demonstration organized by residents in Brossard is also planned for Sunday.

“If they don’t bring justice we’re going to bring justice and we’re going to show them how to bring justice,” said Ahmedi.

The SPAL told reporters Friday that they have received information suggesting that some individuals, although few in number, may seek to provoke confrontations with police officers during the events planned this weekend.

“We hope that everything will take place without disturbances, threats, violent acts, or acts of vandalism,” said Inspector Gino Iannone, SPAL Executive Officer of the Communications and Media Relations Section.

Quebec Public Security Minister Ian Lafrenière added on Friday morning ahead of the CAQ caucus in Gatineau that he was concerned to see “an increase in tension” following Rezayi’s death.

“This is a call for calm,” he said. “I invite people to go there to show their support, their support for the family who is shaken by the events.”

Rezayi was shot and killed by a Longueuil police officer during an intervention on Sunday afternoon after authorities received a 9-1-1 call about a group of armed people in the residential neighborhood of Saint-Hubert.

The teen’s death remains under investigation by Quebec’s police watchdog, the Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes (BEI).

A parallel criminal investigation has also been launched by Montreal police (SPVM), which seeks to probe areas not covered by the BEI’s mandate.

The only firearm seized by the BEI as part of their investigation belonged to the police officer who allegedly opened fire on the 15-year-old.