Montreal police (SPVM) are investigating after another building in Montreal’s Jewish community was hit by gunfire – although it’s unclear exactly when it happened.
A call to 911 was made late Wednesday afternoon about a possible shooting outside a school on Hillsdale Road, near Van Horne Avenue, in Côte-des-Neiges–NDG.
Police were on the scene by 6 p.m. and said that at least one bullet struck the front of the school – but that they were in the early stages of the investigation.
It’s not clear if the shooting happened earlier on Wednesday or another day, authorities added. But the Federation CJA and Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs Quebec, issued a joint statement, saying the shooting took place sometime in the night between Tuesday and Wednesday.
“We have had enough. Another Jewish school shooting in Canada,” the statement reads.
“Once again, and thankfully, no one was inside the building. We know that when decisive action is taken by leadership at the municipal level, this can end. […] This is not the Montreal anyone wants to live in.”
They added that the “SPVM assured us that as a precaution there will be increased presence in front of all Montreal Jewish schools.”
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante condemned the shooting on social media.
“It is totally unacceptable that a Jewish school should once again be targeted. Anti-Semitism has no place in Montreal. The SPVM is on the scene to investigate and I am confident that they will once again find the culprit,” Plante wrote.
Rachel Bendayan, the Liberal MP for Outremont, wrote on social media that she spoke with the school administration and community leaders, as well as the Federal Public Safety Minister. “This must stop. This is not who we are”
Arrest made last week in connection to fall shooting
Just last week, a 20-year-old man was charged in connection to a shooting at a Jewish school in November.
He appeared at the Montreal courthouse to face charges, which include discharging a firearm, theft and receiving stolen vehicles.
The investigation continues into the possible participation of one or more suspects, according to police.
The incident happened on Nov. 12, 2023, around 5 a.m. when gunshots were heard on Deacon Road near Van Horne Avenue.
Police say a suspect was reportedly seen firing towards Jewish school Yeshiva Gedola, before quickly leaving the scene in a vehicle.
No one was inside the school at the time of the shooting, and no injuries were reported.
It was the second time in three days the school was hit by gunfire.
In the overnight hours of Nov. 9, an individual fired gunshots at the building and at another Jewish school — the United Talmud Torahs of Montreal — prompting police to open hate crime investigations.
Anyone with information is being asked to call 911 or their local police station. You can also contact Info-Crime Montréal anonymously and confidentially at 514 393-1133 or via their online form.