Shooting death of 15-year-old girl sends shockwaves through Saint-Leonard

Montreal police are still searching for clues and neighbours are in shock following the death of a 15-year-old girl in a drive-by shooting in Saint-Leonard on Sunday. 

A day after the shooting, half a dozen police cars could be seen around a blocked-off parking lot and a small stretch of road on a residential street just south of Jean-Talon Street, as technicians worked to analyze the scene.

A block away, a police car idled in front of a two-storey brick home cordoned off with orange crime scene tape, within view of a busy elementary school playground.

According to police the teenage girl, who has not been publicly identified, was in a parked car on Jean-Talon, near Valdombre Street, around 6 p.m. Sunday.

She and the driver were talking to three people standing on the sidewalk when another car pulled up, police say.

Someone inside that car opened fire, then sped off on Jean-Talon heading west, police say.

The girl was rushed to hospital in critical condition, and she was pronounced dead Monday morning.

A 21-year-old man, one of the people on the sidewalk, was also shot. He is expected to recover.

Police say they are looking for two suspects in their 20s who were wearing masks at the time of the shooting.

Neighbour Ali Hellal said he has lived in the area for more than 10 years and this was the first time he'd heard of a violent crime nearby.

"We were sorry to hear about the loss of a young girl, perhaps a student, with her future before her," he said.

"It's quiet here, always."

Another neighbour, Danny Cimino, agreed. He said the area has been very quiet lately, especially with COVID-19 restrictions in place.

"I'm very shocked that a 15-year-old girl got shot right here when nothing ever happens," he said.

Anyone who may have seen what happened is being asked to go speak to investigators at the command post that has been set up in the area.

Community reeling

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante described the incident as a terrible tragedy, while Quebec Public Security Minister Geneviève Guilbault offered her "sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the young victim."

Guilbault also said there has been an increase in violent crime in Montreal and that her ministry was working with local authorities to address the situation.

Montreal police could not provide any figures Monday to demonstrate violent crime was on the rise in recent months. The SPVM's annual report will be released in the spring.

Jolyane Molaison, executive director of the Maison de jeunes de Saint-Léonard, a non-profit that offers services for youth in the area, said she doesn't know if there's been an increase in violence in her area. 

But she said the shooting is a reminder that young people need access to resources and support during what is an especially difficult time.

The girl's death marks the fifth homicide of the year on Montreal police territory.