Police Respond to Active Shooter Incident in Montreal's Décarie Area

MONTREAL — Police responded Saturday afternoon to an active shooter incident in the Décarie area of western Montreal after shots were fired near a residential street.

Montreal police officers arrived at the scene around 4:30 p.m. local time following multiple emergency calls reporting gunfire. Authorities immediately established a perimeter and evacuated nearby residents as units searched for the gunman.

The suspect was located shortly after initial reports came in, leading to an exchange of fire with responding officers. Police confirmed that one individual has been taken into custody while investigations continue regarding the identity and motive behind the shooting.

No injuries were reported among civilians at the scene, though authorities have not released details about whether any law enforcement personnel sustained harm during the confrontation. Emergency medical services remained on standby throughout the operation as a precautionary measure.

The Décarie area, known for its mix of residential homes and commercial properties along Boulevard Décarie, experienced significant disruption as traffic was diverted around the active police zone. Several streets were closed to vehicular access while officers conducted searches in adjacent buildings and alleys.

Montreal Police Chief Martin Saint-Hilaire addressed reporters outside a cordoned-off section near Avenue de l'Église, stating that investigators are working to determine what led to the incident. "We can confirm an individual has been detained," he said. "Our priority remains ensuring public safety while we gather all available information about this event."

Witnesses described hearing loud bangs and seeing police vehicles with flashing lights converge on a two-story building near Boulevard Décarie and Rue Sherbrooke Ouest. Some residents reported being instructed to stay indoors for several hours before the area was declared safe.

Local businesses within blocks of the scene remained closed as authorities processed evidence at multiple locations along the perimeter. Police have not disclosed whether weapons were recovered or if additional suspects might be involved in the incident.

As night fell, officers maintained a presence around key intersections while forensic teams examined areas where shots appeared to originate. The investigation remains ongoing with no official statement released regarding potential connections to organized crime or other criminal activity.

Questions remain about why the shooting occurred and whether it was part of a broader pattern in the region. Police have promised updates as more details become available, urging residents not to share unconfirmed information on social media platforms.