FREDERIC SERRE
The 1510 West
While Quebec’s office of independent investigations (BEI) continues to investigate the dramatic shooting during a police standoff in Dollard des Ormeaux on Aug. 4 that left three people injured, a retired West Island police officer who today teaches law enforcement personnel about the judicious use of force says it’s nearly impossible to control a scene as chaotic as the one that occurred at the corner of Davignon St. and De Salaberry Blvd. when about 30 police officers exchanged gunfire with a lone gunman. The BEI is investigating whether any of the bullets fired by responding officers struck the victims.
“You’re dealing with fractions of a second,” says Stéphane Wall, who began his policing career in Pierrefonds nearly three decades ago and retired in 2020. “That’s how much time patrol officers have when faced with a dangerous suspect that they must neutralize.
“When everyone starts firing, you find yourself in a chaotic situation where bullets are whizzing by you and you’re fighting for your life and the lives of others,” Wall said. “You can never control these situations 100 per cent.”
Hitting innocent bystanders is a horrible possibility, Wall said, “especially when there are a lot of shots and a dangerous individual in movement.”
The drama began at about 8 p.m. when a gunman tried to steal a car carrying at least two men – a father and his son – who were unloading their car. The gunman allegedly shot both men, prompting bystanders to call 911. According to the BEI, police officers responded immediately, with more than 40 shots fired in the gun battle with the suspect. The father, son and the alleged gunman were seriously injured and taken to hospital.
Nackeal Hickey, 26, of St. Laurent, faces a multitude of charges related to the shooting, including at least one count of attempted murder. Hickey is also charged with violating a court order prohibiting him from possessing weapons and with violating parole conditions.
While Wall praised the responding officers for neutralizing the suspect, he added that Montreal police need to improve gun training for its officers.
“Ongoing training is very deficient in Montreal,” said Wall, adding that under the current system, only nine patrolling police officers can be trained at a time. “That’s not a lot.”
In an incident like the one in Dollard, responding officers only have partial information when they arrive on scene. “You don’t always know who is the suspect and who is the victim. This incident wouldn’t have happened if an armed criminal would have fired his weapon in the first place.”