Côte-des-Neiges shooting
Map
Location 45°29′37″N 73°38′57″W / 45.493532°N 73.649050°W / 45.493532; -73.649050
Hilton Hotel, 6939 Boulevard Décarie Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Date June 22, 2026 (2026-06-22)
Attack type
  • Ambush
  • shootout
Weapons SKS semi-automatic rifle[1]
Deaths 3 (including the perpetrator)
Injured 2
Perpetrator Seth Hatfield
Defenders Service de police de la Ville de Montréal
Motive
  • Opposition to pornography
  • Marxist–incel ideology[2][3]

On June 22, 2026, a shooting occurred outside the headquarters of Aylo, a multinational conglomerate involved in internet pornography, including the pornographic video-sharing website Pornhub, in the Côte-des-Neiges neighborhood of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Three people were killed during the incident: a civilian, a Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) police officer, and the perpetrator, who was fatally shot by responding officers. A second SPVM officer was critically injured and a civilian sustained minor injuries. Quebec's minister of public security Ian Lafrenière said the shooting was not linked to terrorism.[4][5]

Shooting

On June 22, 2026, at 11:35 a.m. EDT, the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) responded to a 911 call after a witness saw a gun sticking out of a window at the Hilton Garden Inn Montreal Midtown, and reported hearing gunshots.[6][7] The gunman appeared to be shooting at the sixth floor of the building across from the hotel, where employees of Aylo, the owners of Pornhub and other pornographic sites, were working. When police officers arrived, they exchanged gunfire with the gunman, now at street level.[7] One officer, a civilian, and the perpetrator were killed. A second officer was critically injured.[6][7]

Constable Mohamed Lamine Benredouane and a female police officer were the first to arrive. Benredouane was shot and mortally wounded. A civilian, Michel Mizrahi, was also fatally shot as he approached the police officers' position.[8] The female police officer was then shot and critically wounded.[8] The gunman was fatally shot by Constable Xavier Gaumond as he reloaded.[8][9] Gaumond, who was working as the acting sergeant of Station 26, had arrived to see Benredouane being shot.[8]

Police blocked Highway 15 and the Orange Line and ordered residents within the boundaries of Côte-des-Neiges Road, MacDonald Street, Highway 40 and Queen Mary to remain indoors.[4][10] A video posted to social media showed the shooter dressed in camouflage and ambushing the officers.[11] A witness estimated hearing 30–40 gunshots.[5] Police Chief Fady Dagher stated that he did not know who shot Mizrahi.[12]

Victims

The shooter killed an SPVM police officer and injured another police officer. A civilian was also fatally shot during the incident; the circumstances of his death remain under investigation.[13][14]

The Israeli Consulate in Montreal identified the civilian victim as Israeli Michel Mizrahi, aged 68, a Montreal resident of more than 30 years.[15][16] A second civilian received minor injuries.[17]

The slain officer was Constable Mohamed Lamine Benredouane, aged 34, who joined the SPVM in 2021.[4] This incident marked the first SPVM officer killed in the line of duty in 24 years.[18] According to Borough Mayor Stéphanie Valenzuela, Constable Benredouane grew up in the neighbourhood where he died.[19][20] A second officer was critically injured.[6] On June 24, around 1,000 mourners gathered at the Islamic Centre of Quebec in Saint-Laurent for Benredouane's funeral.[21]

Perpetrator

The Quebec coroner's office identified the shooter as Seth Scott Hatfield, aged 25, a resident of Lethbridge, Alberta.[22][23] He studied philosophy at the University of Lethbridge.[19][2] A high-risk operation was carried out at his residence on the day of the incident.[24][25]

Hatfield was linked to incel subculture after a 104-page manifesto targeting women was found in a hotel room.[19][26][27] He wrote that online pornography, including Pornhub, was responsible for a large part of men's suffering.[26][3] In his manifesto, he called for the targeting of pornography industry conventions, the headquarters of global pornography companies, as well as prominent pornographic film actors and actresses.[26] Pickup artists and plastic surgeons were also among groups targeted in his manifesto.[28][29] The manifesto also called for the destruction of liberalism and capitalism by armed revolution, and combined Marxist ideology with incel beliefs.[2][3] Hatfield wrote that modern capitalism was responsible for the "hypergamy state" of women. He identified business leaders, politicians, Zionists, and cryptocurrency leaders as "class A targets".[28][30]

A 2023 archive of Hatfield's YouTube account featured a playlist of videos called "Favorites" which included videos from conspiracy theorist Paul Joseph Watson, a White Army anthem that was used during the Russian Civil War, and a question and answer video about fascism. The videos were published between 2019 and 2021.[2] Hatfield's subscriptions focused on pagan beliefs, fishing, and firearms.[2]

Reactions

Canadian prime minister Mark Carney issued a statement expressing his condolences to the victims of the shooting and expressed gratitude towards the police for protecting the community.[31]

At a press conference, Quebec premier Christine Frechette expressed her condolences to the families of the victims and asked for the Quebec flag to be flown at half-mast.[19]

Mayor of Montreal Soraya Martinez Ferrada expressed her condolences to the family of the slain police officer and ordered the City of Montreal to fly its flags at half-mast.[19][32] Ferrada further expressed concerns surrounding online discourse and gun violence.[33]

At a joint press conference with Ferrada, Stéphanie Valenzuela, borough mayor of Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, expressed her and the borough council's condolences to the family of Constable Benredouane and to all the victims of the shooting.[19]

Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day celebrations in Côte-des-Neiges were cancelled following the shooting out of respect for the community. Municipal government facilities in the borough were also closed.[33]

Aylo issued a statement to the media expressing their condolences to the families of the victims and gratitude to first responders for protecting their employees.[19][34] Employees of the company were present during the shooting.[35]

The CN Tower dimmed its lights to commemorate the officer killed.[36]

On the evening of the incident, the Jewish Community Council of Montreal (JCCM) urged the public not to leap to conclusions.[37][38] In a statement, they warned that speculation or rumours would undermine their fight against anti-Semitism and "make it harder to persuade others when genuine antisemitic incidents occur".[38]

A planned women-led protest against incel subculture in response to the shooting will begin at the memorial for the École Polytechnique massacre, a mass shooting in which the shooter was motivated by misogyny. An organizer for the protest said that the purpose of the demonstration was to trigger a discussion about misogyny, violence against women, and the radicalization of young men online.[39]

Investigation

The Bureau of Independent Investigations (BEI), a civilian agency which investigates serious injuries and fatalities involving police in Quebec, launched an investigation into the police response to the suspect.[40] The BEI is supported in the investigation by the Sûreté du Québec (SQ).[41]

The SQ launched a criminal investigation into the actions of the shooter.[33] The Lethbridge Police Service said it is assisting Quebec authorities with the ongoing investigation into the shooting.[42] The Royal Canadian Mounted Police's Integrated National Security Enforcement Team opened its own investigation into ideologically motivated violent extremism in response to the shooting.[39]

A separate coroner's investigation into the three deaths was also launched following the shooting.[43]

See also

  • 2014 Isla Vista attacks – terrorist attacks conducted by an incel in Isla Vista, California
  • 2012 Montreal shooting – another notable shooting in Montreal, Canada
  • 2018 Toronto van attack – a vehicle ramming attack conducted by an incel in Toronto, Canada
  • 2020 Toronto machete attack – misogynist terrorist attack in Toronto, Canada

References

  1. ^ "Scènes de terreur dans le quartier Côte-des-Neiges". journaldemontreal.com. June 22, 2026.
  2. ^ a b c d e Szeto, Eric; Angelovski, Ivan; Pearson, Jordan; Paas-Lang, Christian (June 23, 2026). "Alleged Montreal shooter followed conspiracy theorists, wrote manifesto weeks before attack". CBC News. Archived from the original on June 23, 2026. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  3. ^ a b c Séguin, Félix (June 22, 2026). "Fusillade à Montréal: le suspect a laissé un manifeste dans lequel il s'attaque aux femmes". TVA Nouvelles (in French). Quebecor. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
  4. ^ a b c "Police officer and civilian killed in Montreal shooting, suspect also dead". CTVNews. June 22, 2026. Archived from the original on June 22, 2026. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
  5. ^ a b "'Nightmare' shooting in Montreal leaves three dead including police officer and bystander". The Guardian. June 23, 2026. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  6. ^ a b c "A timeline of Montreal's deadly Côte-des-Neiges shooting". CBC News. June 23, 2026. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  7. ^ a b c "Everything we know about the Côte-des-Neiges shootings". Montreal Gazette. June 23, 2026. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  8. ^ a b c d Larouche, Vincent; Renaud, Daniel (June 24, 2026). "Fusillade dans Côte-des-Neiges: Trois secondes et deux respirations pour éviter un carnage". La Presse (in Canadian French). Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  9. ^ "'It's a nightmare': Police officer, passer-by and gunman killed in hotel shooting". Sky News. June 23, 2026. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  10. ^ "Active shooter alert issued in Montreal's Côte-des-Neiges; 1 officer and 1 civilian dead, another officer critically injured". CityNews Montreal. June 22, 2026. Archived from the original on June 22, 2026. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
  11. ^ "Video shows deadly shooting in Montreal, Canada". Al Jazeera. June 22, 2026. Archived from the original on June 23, 2026. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
  12. ^ "Police officer, suspect, and civilian dead in Montreal shooting". Global News. June 22, 2026. Archived from the original on June 22, 2026. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
  13. ^ "IN PHOTOS: Morning shooting in Montreal's Côte-des-Neiges borough". CityNews Montreal. June 22, 2026. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
  14. ^ "Everything we know about the Côte-des-Neiges shootings". montrealgazette. June 23, 2026. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  15. ^ North, Harry (June 22, 2026). "'Everybody loved him': Michael Mizrahi identified as civilian victim in Côte-des-Neiges shootings". Montreal Gazette. Archived from the original on June 23, 2026. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
  16. ^ Hartog, Kelly (June 23, 2026). "Israeli citizen Michael Mizrahi killed in Montreal shooting". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  17. ^ "Montreal police officer and civilian killed in Côte-des-Neiges shooting identified". CBC News. June 22, 2026. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
  18. ^ "Montreal shooting leaves officer, civilian and suspect dead". www.bbc.com. June 23, 2026. Archived from the original on June 22, 2026. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g "Police officer, civilian dead after shooting in Montreal's Côte-des-Neiges neighbourhood, police say". CBC. Archived from the original on June 22, 2026. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
  20. ^ "Le SPVM et la communauté rendent hommage à l'agent tué dans la fusillade". Radio-Canada Info (in French). CBC/Radio-Canada. La Presse canadienne. June 23, 2026. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  21. ^ North, Harry (June 25, 2026). "Montreal police officer killed in Côte-des-Neiges shootings was 'respected and loved by all'". Montreal Gazette.
  22. ^ "Alleged Montreal shooter identified as 25-year-old from Lethbridge, Alberta". CityNews. June 23, 2026. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  23. ^ "What we know about Seth Hatfield, the suspect in Montreal shootings that killed a cop and a civilian". National Post. June 23, 2026. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  24. ^ "Fusillade à Montréal: opération à haut risque à Lethbridge, d'où vient le présumé tueur" [Montreal shooting: high-risk operation in Lethbridge, where the suspected killer is from] (in French). TVA Nouvelles. June 23, 2026. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  25. ^ "Montreal shooting suspect identified as 25-year-old Alberta man". Global News. Archived from the original on June 24, 2026. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  26. ^ a b c "Fusillade mortelle dans Côte-des-Neiges: un policier et un citoyen décédés, le suspect «neutralisé»" [Deadly shooting in Côte-des-Neiges: a police officer and a citizen killed, the suspect "neutralized"] (in French). Noovo. June 22, 2026. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
  27. ^ "Officer among 2 killed in a Montreal shooting that sources say appeared to target police. Suspect is also dead". CNN. June 22, 2026. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
  28. ^ a b "Manifesto laden with incel ideology linked to Côte-des-Neiges shooting". The Montreal Gazette. June 23, 2026. Archived from the original on June 23, 2026. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  29. ^ Aiello, Rachel (June 23, 2026). "Montreal shooter's 'incel' manifesto espoused wide ranging societal grievances". CTVNews. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  30. ^ Aiello, Rachel (June 23, 2026). "Montreal shooter's 'incel' manifesto espoused wide ranging societal grievances". CTVNews. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  31. ^ "Canadian police officer, suspect among three dead in Montreal shooting". Al Jazeera. Agence France-Presse. June 22, 2026. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  32. ^ Martinez Ferrada, Soraya. "My deepest condolences to the family, loved ones, and colleagues of the police officer who died in the line of duty in Côte-des-Neiges. My thoughts are also with all those affected by this tragedy. We are closely following the evolution of the situation and ask the public to respect the instructions of the SPVM". Twitter. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  33. ^ a b c "Some Fête nationale celebrations cancelled after deadly Montreal shooting". CTV News. Bell Media. The Canadian Press. June 24, 2026. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  34. ^ Fortin-Gauthier, Etienne. "MAJEUR La déclaration de Pornhub / Aylo @NoovoInfo". Twitter. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  35. ^ Fortin-Gauthier, Etienne (June 23, 2026). "Pornhub a été la cible de plusieurs menaces avant l'attaque à Montréal". Noovo Info (in French). Bell Media. Archived from the original on June 23, 2026. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  36. ^ "CN Tower to honour Montreal police officer killed". CBC News. June 23, 2026. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  37. ^ "Montreal shooting suspect identified as 25-year-old from Alberta". www.bbc.com. June 23, 2026. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  38. ^ a b "JCCMontreal (@jcc_montreal) on X". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  39. ^ a b Glorieux, Charlotte (June 25, 2026). "Montreal shooting leads to national security investigation on ideological violence". The Canadian Press. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  40. ^ "Le BEI annonce le déclenchement d'une enquête indépendante à Montréal le 22 juin 2026". Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes (in French). Government of Quebec. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  41. ^ "Investigation BEI-260622-001". Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes. Government of Quebec. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  42. ^ "Lethbridge man, 25, identified as alleged Montreal shooting suspect". Calgary Herald. June 23, 2026. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  43. ^ Kozicka, Patricia (June 23, 2026). "Montreal man and police officer killed in midday shooting hailed as heroes". CBC News. Retrieved June 24, 2026.