A frum Montreal resident was shot Monday after being critically wounded during a terrorist shooting attack in the Côte-des-Neiges neighbourhood, in the heart of the Chabad community and near the Chabad center of shliach and director of Mada, Rabbi Chaim Shlomo Cohen.

Michoel Moshe Mizrachi, a member of the Chabad community, passed away from his injuries after being caught in the exchange of gunfire between police and a suspect.

The incident unfolded during the morning hours when a two-person terrorist cell attacked police forces in a busy area near Jewish stores and community locations. The shooting took place near Jewish-owned businesses, including Broadway Pizza and Deli 770, causing panic throughout the surrounding community.

“There were 10 or 12 shots in a row”, one witness told Canadian broadcaster CTV. “Parents and children ran from the park in panic. We are all in total shock that this is happening in our neighborhood, which is usually quiet. We are surrounded by schools. It is usually a very family-oriented area.”

Montreal police confirmed that three people died in total: a police officer, a civilian, and the suspect. A second officer was seriously wounded. The attackers were eliminated by police who quickly responded to the scene.

An emergency alert had warned that an armed and dangerous individual was in the area, and police urged residents to remain indoors, lock their doors, and avoid the area around De Courtrai and Trans Island avenues as the investigation continued.

“The shooting was toward a building close to the Chabad house”, Rabbi Cohen told Ynet. “They fired from the hotel at another building,” he said. “One shooter was caught, and they are apparently still looking for the second.”

He said Canadian police evacuated people from nearby hotels into the Chabad house. “We are here with about 100 people, volunteers, and people who were brought here,” Cohen said. “I was sitting in my office, and suddenly, police officers came in and said no one was allowed to leave the building, and they evacuated people from hotels to us. We are okay.”

According to preliminary reports, the shooter fired from a hotel room overlooking the street, possibly targeting a specific building across the way. Police have not released further details as the investigation remains ongoing.

According to preliminary information, the circumstances surrounding his shooting are still being investigated by local authorities. Among the possibilities being examined is whether he was struck during the exchange of gunfire that occurred at the scene.

Volunteers from ZAKA’s International Unit are in contact with the victim’s family, the Jewish community, and local authorities, and are providing assistance as needed.

Moishe Blech, a Montreal resident and ZAKA International Unit volunteer, said:

“This is a tragic incident that remains under investigation by local authorities. The shock within the community is immense. The deceased was well known and beloved, a man who prayed with us at the synagogue. We all share in the family’s grief and are awaiting the results of the investigation, which will clarify the circumstances of the incident. As soon as it became possible, we entered the scene to collect the remains and ensure they were brought to burial.”

Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette said she was “deeply shaken” by the shooting.

“Such acts have no place here. We are monitoring the situation closely,” she said, adding that the provincial government would offer its full cooperation to the relevant authorities.

Quebec Domestic Security Minister Ian Lafrenière called the incident “a very sad moment” while speaking at an event in Kahnawà:ke.

“We were supposed to do something very important today with the Mohawk community of Kahnawà:ke… Unfortunately, reality has caught up with us,” he said. “As a retired police officer, it affects me deeply.”

Lafrenière said he would join Premier Fréchette in Montreal and confirmed that a provincial crisis management cell had been activated. He urged the public to stay away from the crime scene while police continued their operation.

“Antisemitism in the United States and Canada is at an all-time high,” Israeli Consul General in New York Ofir Akunis said. “As we warned, words turn into actions. When leaders and elected officials incite against Israel and Jews, it is no surprise that we are seeing a sharp rise in attacks of this kind.”

The shooting came just three weeks after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned that Canada was failing to protect its Jewish community amid a record surge in antisemitic incidents. Speaking at a national forum on antisemitism, Carney said many Canadian Jews no longer feel safe and pledged stronger action.

The Côte-des-Neiges area, part of Montreal’s most populated borough, is a busy neighbourhood with many residents, businesses, and Jewish community institutions. While an initial report said that Moshe ben Yosef Mizrachi was

Fady Dagher, the chief of the Montreal police, said that the “immediate threat to the public is no longer present” and that sheltering in place was no longer required.

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