Friday morning, around 6 a.m., the Quebec City Police Service (SPVQ) arrested a 15 -year -old boy for armed assault and wearing a firearm in a dangerous design.
Elements of evidence were collected during a search at his home, in the Sainte-Foy sector.
Two other minors were arrested for similar offenses in the last week.
One file per week
Formerly rare, these arrests are more and more frequent in Quebec.
“About once a week, there is a file that goes to the SPVQ involving a minor with a handgun,” said Sandra Dion, spokesperson for the SPVQ.
Minors use these weapons to make threats, harassment or intimidation. Often, these are false weapons, but their use is not trivial.
“On our side, a weapon similar to a handgun, it is a weapon. Whether you are a minor or an adult, we’re going to work in the same way, ”she says.
At the level of the criminal code, a suspect can face the same accusations, whether he uses a real or a false weapon to commit his offense.
The gangs in question?
Without being able to link each file to a criminal group, Quebec police say that tensions in the world of organized crime contribute to the increase in armed minors on the territory.
For this reason, an official conference called “Gangs and Urban Violence” will be offered in secondary schools next fall. Some presentations have already been made.
The SPVQ also performs targeted prevention operations towards young people who seem to attend a criminal organization.
The authorities also use parents’ vigilance. “If your child uses a weapon similar to a firearm, you have to ask questions,” she said.
