Quebec’s independent police investigations bureau has concluded its examination of the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Nooran Rezayi by a Longueuil officer. The final report has been forwarded to Quebec’s public prosecution service (DPCP), which holds authority to pursue charges against the involved officer.
Mayor’s Push for Broader Police Review
Longueuil Mayor Catherine Fournier calls on Quebec Public Security Minister Ian Lafreniere to promptly launch a review of the city’s police service (SPAL). This renewed demand follows the closure of the initial probe.
The September shooting provoked widespread community backlash and prompted Rezayi’s family to file a lawsuit against the Longueuil Police Service and the city. Officers arrived after a 911 report of masked, armed suspects. The unarmed teen suffered a fatal gunshot wound moments after police reached the scene where he walked with other youths.
Concerns Over Post-Shooting Police Conduct
Fournier’s December request targeted SPAL and Chief Patrick Belanger. It stemmed from communications revealing that Brigitte Bishop, head of the investigations bureau, challenged officers’ post-incident actions. Officers reportedly interviewed witnesses improperly and launched their own inquiry.
Bishop further highlighted inaccurate details from Belanger about notification delays, attributed to unverified additional 911 calls.
“Now that the investigations bureau probe is officially closed,” Fournier stated, “I invite Public Security Minister Ian Lafreniere to immediately launch the investigation into the Longueuil Police Service (SPAL) that I requested on December 11.”
Family’s Ongoing Questions
Virginie Dufresne-Lemire, attorney for the Rezayi family, confirms receipt of the reports the DPCP.
“For the family, many questions remain about the sequence of events and the motive given to justify the fatal shooting, as well as about the subsequent investigations,” she said. “They will await the decision of the DPCP and access to the full investigation.”
The Longueuil Police Service offers no comment, and Minister Lafreniere’s office has yet to reply to inquiries.
