The island of Montreal has been marked by a large number of murders and episodes of violence since the start of 2024. As of October 23, 2024, the toll stands at 29 homicides occurring on the territory during of the last few months.
Also read: Here are the neighborhoods in Montreal where there were the most break-ins in 2024
Despite the priority given by Montreal authorities to the fight against armed violence, the number of murders recorded in 2024 is already close to the 31 victims in 2023, while there are still two and a half months before the end of the year.
Using information provided by the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM), Narcity Québec mapped the events, illustrating the neighborhoods and circumstances of each incident. A brief description of each tragedy is available by clicking on the blue dots on the map.
It was on January 13 that the first homicide of the year occurred. During the first quarter of 2024, there were eight murders, either by bullets or bladed weapons.
Then, between the month of April and September, the toll increased with 18 events causing death, but it was the month of May which was particularly violent with eight victims in just over two weeks.
Since the beginning of October, there have been three criminal deaths, including two following a major fire that ravaged a building in Old Montreal.
Several boroughs were affected by armed violence in 2024, including Rivière-des-Prairies-Pointe-aux-Trembles, Ville-Marie, Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension, and Lachine.
By analyzing the data, we also notice that among the homicides recorded, a dozen were committed by firearms. Last June, the SPVM made a point of emphasizing that armed violence is “a social issue that the police cannot resolve alone.”
The organization indicates that “we must highlight the important contribution of all the community, institutional and government partners with whom [la SPVM partage] this responsibility. The care and involvement of all contribute to the reduction of events of armed violence on [le] territory “.
Each year, the police force publishes an official report providing an overview of police activities. We will therefore have to wait a few more months to obtain the complete results for 2024.
This article has been updated since its original publication.
