A dobule homicide investigation is underway in Riviere-du-Loup, Quebec, following the fatal shooting of two young women. The incident occurred late Thursday night near a restaurant at the intersection of Cartier Boulevard and Plourde Street.
Fatalities at the intersection of Cartier Boulevard and Plourde Street
The violence erupted late Thursday night in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region when witnesses reported hearing what sounded like gunshots. According to the Surete du Quebec (SQ), the incident took place near a restaurant parking lot at approximately 10:45 p.m. The shooting targeted two women, aged 19 and 23, who were sitting inside a vehicle at the time.
Emergency responders arrived to find a grim scene. one of the victims was pronounced dead at the location of the shooting, while the second woman succumbed to her injuries later at a hospital. The SQ has since transitioned the case into a formal double homicide investigation.
The SQ Homicide Investigation Unit's search for suspects
The Surete du Quebec has deployed its specialized Homicide Investigation Unit to lead the probe into the deaths. Sgt. Audrey-Anne Bilodeau, a spokesperson for the SQ, confirmed that the unit has taken charge of the case due to its classification as a homicide. As of Friday morning, the SQ reported that no arrests have been made and no specific suspects have been named.
Investigators are currently processing the scene and gathhering witness statements to reconstruct the moments leading up to the gunfire. While the SQ is actively pursuing leads, the agency has stated it is too early to speculate on the specific circumstances or the motive behind the attack.
Political outcry from Minister Guy Jr. Lapointe and Ariane Boyer
The tragedy has drawn immediate reactions from Quebec's political leadership. Guy Jr. Lapointe,who was sworn in as the new Minister of Internal Security on Wednesday,used social media to offer condolences to the families. Lapointe emphasized that such violence damages the public's sense of security and expressed a determination to fight crime across the province.
Local representation also weighed in on the unsettling nature of the crime. Ariane Boyer, the PQ member of the National Assembly for Riviere-du-Loup-Temiscouata-Les Basques, noted that Riviere-du-Loup has rarely seen a double homicide in recent decades. Boyer indicated that her office would be monitoring the ongoing investiigation closely as the community processes the event.
The unidentified 19 and 23-year-old victims
Several critical details regarding the victims remain unknown to the public. As the SQ continues its work, the identities of the 19-year-old and 23-year-old women have not yet been formally released. Furthermore,the investigation has yet to establish a connection between the victims and any potential perpetrators, leaving the motive for the shooting an open question.
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