Law enforcement officials in Montreal are investigating a shooting incident that occurred at a Jewish school in the city's Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough, according to a police spokesperson. Véronique Dubuc stated that officers responded late Wednesday afternoon to reports of a potential shooting outside a school on Hillsdale Road near Van Horne Avenue.
Upon arriving at the scene around 6 p.m., police established a perimeter and determined that at least one bullet had struck the school building. Dubuc noted that the investigation remains in its early stages as authorities work to gather more information about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The shooting has drawn swift condemnation from political figures and Jewish advocacy organizations. In a joint statement, Yair Szlak, president and CEO of Federation CJA, and Eta Yudin, vice-president of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs Quebec, decried the attack, asserting, "We have had enough. Another Jewish school shooting in Canada."
UNBELIEVABLE. In Montreal, Canada, yet another Jewish school became the target of a night shooting. Fortunately, no one was injured.
This is relentless hatred, intimidation, and fear-mongering targeting Jews over a conflict that is taking place thousands of miles away.
It must… https://t.co/XZSvBVa09Y
— World Jewish Congress (@WorldJewishCong) May 30, 2024
While expressing relief that no one was inside the building at the time, the statement called for decisive action from municipal leaders to address such intimidation and hatred. It also urged all citizens to raise their voices against acts fueled by antisemitism.
The second shooting — in a week — at a Jewish school in Canada.
Also the third shooting at a Jewish institution in Montreal since October 7.
THE #1 SECURITY RISK IN CANADA RIGHT NOW IS SIMPLY BEING A JEWISH CHILD. pic.twitter.com/oasNnpaNhx
— dahlia kurtz ✡︎ דליה קורץ (@DahliaKurtz) May 30, 2024
The Montreal police have pledged to increase their presence at Jewish schools across the city as a precautionary measure, according to the statement from the advocacy groups.
Rachel Bendayan, a member of Parliament representing the Outremont district, took to the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to confirm that she had spoken with school administrators and community leaders regarding the incident.
