Quebec Police Officer Fatally Stabbed During Arrest Northeast of Montreal

A Quebec provincial police officer was killed during an arrest in the Mauricie region on Monday night. The suspect was then fatally shot by another officer and an investigation into the case is underway. The police officer has been in service for over 20 years.

The incident took place on Monday night at around 8:30 p.m. when two officers, including Sgt. Maureen Breau, showed up at Louiseville, Quebec, about 100 kilometers northeast of Montreal. They were arresting a 35-year-old male suspect for uttering threats and during the arrest, the suspect grabbed a knife and fatally stabbed Breau.

Two more officers showed up shortly after and one of them fatally shot the suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed yet. The police also stated that another officer was injured during the altercation but is expected to recover.

The Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes informed that five investigators have been assigned to this case and are being assisted by Montreal police officers.

Johanne Beausoleil, the provincial police chief, offered her condolences to Breau’s family and colleagues. “It is with immense sadness that I learned of Sgt. Breau’s death. An ordeal like this reminds us of the danger police officers face in extreme situations like those confronted by Sgt. Breau, her fellow officers and the emergency telecommunications operators who supported them during the intervention,” he said in a news release.

People living in the building have been moved to a hotel nearby and are being cared for by Red Cross. Louiseville Mayor Yvon Deshaies shared the people will have to stay at the hotel till the scene has been examined.

Vineet Washington