Montreal Riot
A shooting that took place on Saturday night, August 9, 2008, led to an early morning riot on Monday, August 11. During the initial shooting in Montreal's Henri Bourassa Park, three men were wounded after rushing police who were trying to arrest someone. One of the men, 18 year old Freddy Alberto Villanueva, died in the hospital. As a result, residents of all ages in the Montreal North Borough took to the streets in looting and fighting with police and firefighters.
Fast Facts
- Rioting occurred in the early morning hours of August 11, 2008
- Cause of rioting cited as police shooting of Freddy Alberto Villanueva
- Stores in the area were looted
- Firefighters responding to fires were pelted with beer bottles
- Eight cars were torched near a fire station
- Three bus shelters were vandalized
- Rioters broke into three firetrucks, a fire station and 20 businesses
- Looters were males and females of all ages
- One police officer was shot in the leg and subsequently hospitalized
Background
Rioters set fires and vandalized businesses following the death of a young man shot by police during the attempted arrest of another person. Saturday night at approximately 7:00 p.m. local time, police were attempting to arrest a suspect when they were surrounded by approximately 20 youth. Three of the youth rushed the police officers, and one officer opened fire. No police officers were injured in the incident.
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