Quebec police officer killed during attempted arrest

A Sûreté du Québec police officer and a suspect died in an incident in Louiseville, Que., near Trois-Rivières. A second police officer was injured, but his life is not in danger.

Provincial police say they had gone to a residence to carry out an arrest for threats Monday around 8:30 p.m. when Sgt. Maureen Breau was stabbed.

Two more police officers arrived on the scene and shot and killed the suspect.

Breau had over 20 years of experience with the SQ.

Quebec’s independent police investigation unit will investigate and the Service de Police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) will hold a parallel criminal investigation.

The people who live in the building are being cared for by the Red Cross at a motel where they will stay until investigators are done examining the scene, said Louiseville Mayor Yvon Deshaies.

Neighbour Stéphane Caron says he saw everything while taking his trash out Monday night.

“I heard four gun shots — boom boom boom boom — it happened so fast. One of the police officers fell from the second floor after being stabbed, another one was stabbed, the guy was shot and he’s dead,” he said.

“I turned off my TV and sat at home, I don’t want to leave my house now. It was dangerous, it’s right next to me, just three doors down from me.”

Deshaies said he was shaken up by the events and that he is sorry for Breau’s family.

“Stay strong. You will live through sadness, hatred and rage,” he said.

“I am sorry because [the suspect] has a father and mother, maybe brothers and sisters. They will suffer, too […] But I stand behind the officer who closed his eyes forever.”

Quebec’s public security minister François Bonnardel tweeted out his sympathies for Breau’s family and SQ officers.

“Today reminds us that police officers have a dangerous job,” he said.

“I can never thank them enough for their sacrifices.”