Quebec provincial police officer killed during attempted arrest

A Sret du Qubecpolice officerand a suspect have died in an incident in Louiseville, Que., near Trois-Rivires. A second police officer was injured, but he is expected to recover.

Provincial police say they wentto a residence on Monday at around 8:30 p.m. to carry out an arrest for threats when Sgt. Maureen Breauwas stabbed.

Two more police officers arrived on the scene and shot and killed the suspect. According to Radio-Canada sources, the suspect isIsaac Brouillard Lessard.

Lessard has had run-ins with law enforcement.

In the last decade, he's beencharged with uttering threats and assault multiple times.

In three separate court proceedings, he was found not criminally responsible for his actions. In 2021,he pleaded guilty to assaultandhe was released on conditional discharge, given two years of probation and assigned to 200 hours of community service.

Breauhad over 20 years of experience with the SQ.

Quebec's independent police watchdog (BEI)will investigatethe deaths and the Service de Police de la Ville de Montral(SPVM) will hold aparallel criminal investigation.

The people who live in the building are being looked afterby the Red Cross at a motel where they will stay until investigators are done examining the scene, said Louiseville MayorYvon Deshaies.

Neighbour Stphane Caronsays he saw everything while taking thetrash out Monday night.

"I heard four gun shotsboom boom boom boomit happened so fast. One of the police officers fell from the second floor after being stabbed, another one was stabbed, the guy was shot and he's dead," he said.

"I turned off my TV and sat at home, I don't want to leave my house now. It was dangerous, it's right next to me, just three doors down from me."

WATCH | Witness describes violent scene:

Neighbour sees part of incident that ended in officer's death

2 years ago

Duration 0:56

Stphane Caron said he took out his garbage during the conflict, and shared his emotions over the police officer slain outside his home.

Mayor Deshaies said he was shaken up by the events andhe feels badfor Breau's family.

"Stay strong. You will live through sadness, hatred and rage," he said.

"I am sorry because[the suspect]has a father and mother, maybe brothers and sisters. They will suffer, too [...] But I stand behind the officer who closed his eyes forever."

Quebec's public security minister, Franois Bonnardel,tweeted out his condolences toBreau's family and her colleagues.

"Today reminds us that police officers have a dangerous job," he said."I can never thank them enough for their sacrifices."