Three dead in Montreal shooting, including police officer and suspect
· UPIJune 22 (UPI) -- A shootout Monday afternoon in the Montreal borough of Côte-des-Neiges left three people dead, including a police officer and the suspect in the shooting, Montreal police said.
Montreal Police Chief Fady Dagher said another police officer was injured and taken to the hospital in critical condition but is now stable. One civilian was also injured.
"It's a nightmare," Dagher said during a press conference, BBC News reported. This marks the first time in 24 years that a Montreal police officer was killed on duty.
Police were responding to a call of gunshots in the area and a gun sticking out a window when they were first fired upon, Dagher said. Police said they believe the shooter acted alone and used a long-range gun.
Côte-des-Neiges is the most populous borough in Montreal and historically has a large Jewish population. Law enforcement officials said they are examining a manifesto believed to be written by the gunman.
"For now, we don't really know what the motive of this individual was," said Ian Lafrenière, Quebec's domestic security minister, BBC News reported.
The names of those killed and injured have not yet been released. Officials took to social media to express condolences to their family members.
"My deepest condolences to the family, loved ones and colleagues of the police who died in the line of duty in Côte-des-Neiges," wrote Soraya Martinez Ferrada, the mayor of Montreal.
Christine Fréchette, premier of Quebec, said she was "deeply shaken" by the events, CNN reported. "As the operation and investigation are still ongoing, it is essential to let the authorities do their work and to avoid any speculation."