The Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes (BEI) has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding an intervention that took place Wednesday night in Cowansville when a 19-year-old boy was shot by Sûreté du Québec (SQ) officers.
The incident occurred near the Brome-Missisquoi Campus – Adult Education centre. Classes were cancelled at the centre on Thursday while investigators were on site.
According to a statement released by the BEI, at approximately 8:25 p.m., SQ police officers reportedly received a call in connection with a man, allegedly in possession of a handgun, walking in the area of the Brome-Missisquoi Campus in Cowansville.
Once on the scene, the police located the suspect, and said that he refused to obey the officers’ orders and rushed towards them.
According to the preliminary information collected by the BEI, at least one shot was fired at the boy, and he was struck by a bullet in the lower body.
The 19-year-old was transported to hospital, where he remains in stable condition.
The BEI is called to investigate any police intervention where a firearm is used by an officer on duty, resulting in injury or death.
Five BEI investigators were assigned to investigate the circumstances of the incident on Wednesday night, and the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) has been brought in for additional support in accordance with the rules respecting BEI investigations.
According to an Eastern Townships School Board spokesperson, investigators had left the adult ed centre by 11 a.m. Thursday, and classes were set to resume as usual on Friday.
No further details were available by press time.
The BEI is asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact them via their website at https://www.bei.gouv.qc.ca/nous-joindre.
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Police watchdog called in after teen shot by officers in Cowansville
Record Staff
