Police officer among 3 left unconscious in cannabis store altercations

Quebec's police watchdog is investigating a series of altercations that started insidea cannabis store in Montreal's west end, andleft three people unconscious, including a police officer.

At around 5:40 p.m. on Monday, a man who appeared to be intoxicatedphysically assaulted another man insidethe Socit qubcoise du cannabis storeon Queen Mary Road in theCte-Des-NeigesNotre-Dame-De-Grce borough, according to the information provided to the province's police watchdog, also known as the BEI.

Once Montreal police arrived, the man who started the initial fight is said to have assaulted one of the officers. More officers showed up, and they unsuccessfully tried to neutralizehim with a telescopic stick, according to the press release from the BEI.

Theman is said to have suffered a headinjury during the altercation with police and he was eventuallyhandcuffed. He was unconscious while being transported to hospital.

The BEI's statement does not specify how he was injured.The police watchdog has assigned eight investigators to verify the initial information that was provided.

The seriousness of the man and the officer's injuries are not known.