How Many More Shootings Before We Act?

We are very sad that we had to throw up a throw out a big chunk of our show today because news that is of national importance is still developing in real time.We are following the story of the shooting in Montreal that has thus far left at least one police officer and one shooter dead.We're talking about the Cote des Neiges area of Montreal.It's northwest ish of downtown.It is a This area of Cote -des -Neiges is predominantly Jewish.The area of Cote -des -Neiges is a new neighborhood.

It's a planned, planned neighborhood called Westbury.And what we know so far is around the noon hour, an eruption of shots of gunfire echoed through these very new buildings.The story that we have thus far is that a shooter was in the hotel.Actually, you know what?Let's listen just so you can get a sense of what people in this area heard.Yeah.

Like I said, it is it is a fact that this is a Jewish neighborhood.I was at this hotel just two weeks ago.It is.And I walked in when I walked in, there was a Jewish family having a taking the photos for their wedding across the street is a pizza place owned by an Orthodox Jewish family.As I walked to the event that I was there for, I walked past many Jewish families.I am not suggesting a link between the shooter and the people in that neighborhood.

I am suggesting that thepeople in that neighborhood would have thought something was happening to their community.So on that note, as I said, ever -evolving story, lots to get to.And so we'd like to invite into the conversation B 'nai B 'rith regional director in Montreal, Paula Samuel, who was just across the street, Paula, when this took place?

Hi, so our office is in the neighborhood, the B 'nai B 'rith office is in the neighborhood, and so we were all very close to it, and all Jewish, just so that you know, all Jewish community centers and anything related to the Jewish community have been on lockdown since the shooting.But yes, it's been going on right next to us.I mean, our office is in the neighborhood.

So, Paula, what what what do you know?Well, because I want to make sure that as we tell this story in real time, we are not putting anything out that is false.If it is a rumor, I want to let people know it's a rumor.There was there was story that there might have been multiple shooters and that one was still on the loose.Do you know anything?

Correct.So what you've said so far, I'm going to add one thing that you said at the beginning.There is one civilian that has been confirmed killed.So it's one police officer, the active shooter and one civilian.There's another police officer who is a woman who is in very serious condition and has been rushed to the hospital.The story that you told us that, you know, the facts that you put through is exactly what we're hearing.

And also that there may be one or two active shooters out there.

Yeah, this is this is that I'll tell you something that is also very new, at least in my experience, is the the visuals that we have seen on social media, because it's a it's a you know, there's apartments in the area, there's businesses in the area.People were pulling out their phones and the angles ofwhat we witnessed is unlike anything I've ever seen.We saw the one officer who has, I assume he's the one who passed away, and the female officer going toe to toe with a shooter who was geared up in tactical gear and had a long gun.It looked like a scene from the movie Heat.

Yeah, no, it looks it really does.It looks like a scene from a movie.As you can imagine, the community is very shaken.Yes, we don't have confirmation that it was a it was a direct attack on the community of We don't have any kind of confirmation on that.But as you mentioned, it is smack in the middle of the Jewish community.

There's going to be a press conference momentarily and we'll be updating people as the story comes in.But the story that we've heard thus far is the shots came from a hotel room and were directed, at least in part, at the building to its north, which you're saying is is is an apartment building.

Yeah, so it's a bunch of apartment buildings facing that hotel.It's not just one.So it's a series of apartment buildings.The police chief has come out to say that these are his words.It's an absolute nightmare is what he's calling it, what has happened.And there's also stories that we're hearing, I'm not sure if it's confirmed by the police yet, but that the shooter called 911.

And as the police started coming, he started shooting, which doesn't mean he wasn't shooting before.So he was trying to get them there.

Right.And is the order to shelter in place still on?Are you still instructed to stay where you are?

Yeah, we're still instructed to stay where we are and not go, not leave.I don't think anyone can come in or out of our building at the moment.So we're just, you know, we're doing our work and standing by and seeing what's going on.As far as we know, also the metros in the area have all been closed.

Yeah.

So nobody can.you know, get into this area by mistake, obviously.Yeah, there's a lot, as you can imagine, you know, I'm a former journalist, and I know you've been in the media for a long time, as you know, that the stories keep changing with something so active and ongoing.what we thought was happening half an hour ago is not what we think is happening now.And so we're just all standing by, but deeply concerned for our community, obviously.And I've spoken to other colleagues that work at other Jewish communities, organizations, and everyone's in lockdown.

with the appropriate amount of concern.

Paula Samuel from B 'nai B 'rith in Montreal.Thank you so much for joining us and for giving us a temperature.

Ben, as we're talking, there's another alert coming on.There's another alert coming through on all our phones.OK.Let me see if it's on.

What's it saying?

It's saying the alert regarding an armed and dangerous suspect at the Cote -des -Neiges neighborhood of Montreal has ended.There we go.It's just ended.

Yeah.Thank goodness.

The immediate threat to the public is no longer present.

That's wonderful news.Yeah.How do you feel?Do you feel that the stress is relieved?

You know that we should go outside now and and we don't have to worry about some that someone's going to come out of nowhere, you know.So, yes, just it's it just happens.So it's well, thank you.It means everything's under control.

All right, Samuel.Paula Samuel from a day breath.Thank you so much for giving us the lay of the land.

And and and we appreciate it.Please stay safe.Thank you so much.

Thanks so much for watching the show.Now, if you enjoyed what you saw, hit that subscribe button so you never miss another episode of The Ben Mulroney Show.