Davignon Street

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

A 26-year-old man is facing a host of charges in connection with last week’s shoot-out with police in Dollard-des-Ormeaux.

Nackeal Hickey,26, was arraigned in the Montreal courthouse to answer on charges including possession of a firearm, discharge of a firearm, and four counts of attempted murder. The accused will remain detained throughout the unfolding of the judicial proceedings.

Hickey was known to police. He was previously charged and awaiting trial in a case of residential breaking and entering. He also has a long criminal history, including aggravated assault, possession of a weapon and breach of conditions.

On Sunday, August 3 at approximately 8 p.m., Hickey allegedly showed up at his childhood friend’s house to settle a conflict, on Davignon Street, near de Salaberry Boulevard in DDO. During a confrontation, a shot was fired and no injuries resulted. Hickey allegedly fled on foot, and attempted to steal a vehicle in a residential parking lot where a 52-year-old man along with his 18-year-old son, were unpacking the vehicle after returning home after a camping trip. Hickey allegedly attempted to steal their vehicle at gunpoint. For reasons that are still unclear, the father and son were shot and wounded.

When officers arrived at the scene, they were blocked from reaching the victims as the suspect opened fire at the officers. A full-blown shoot-out took place between the suspect and police with some 30-40 shots fired according to witnesses. Hickley was injured by gunfire and was transported to hospital. Until the ballistics reports return, it is unclear whether the father and son victims were hit by the suspect or by police gunfire during the shoot-out. At this time, the suspect is not charged with attempted murder of the two victims caught in the crossfire but of attempted murder of police officers.

At one point during the conflict, a stray bullet hit and shattered the window of a house, where a seven-year-old child resides. The child was not injured.

The Bureau of Independent Investigation (BEI) has been tasked with the investigation of the shoot-out that took place between Hickey and the police officers. The agency was mandated almost immediately after the shootings took place at approximately 10:45 p.m. on August 4.

According to information obtained by The Suburban, the shooter opened fire on officers immediately upon their arrival.

According to an eyewitness who wishes to remain anonymous, it was impossible to tell what was going on exactly. “There was a shot fired, then police showed up and there were so many shots being fired and it was scary. I was just praying for it to be over.”

A major perimeter was erected around the neighbourhood for days while the BEI took over the investigation due to the circumstances surrounding the events. Hickey may face further charges as the investigation develops. n