Montreal family subjected to gunfire alleges police negligence in civil lawsuit against SPVM
Montreal Police Shootout Leaves Family Suing for $6.5 Million
The Abdallah family, residents of Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Montreal, have filed a lawsuit against the Montreal Police Service (SPVM) and the City of Montreal, seeking $6.5 million in damages. The lawsuit stems from a police shootout that took place on August 4, 2024, near their residence [1][2].
During the incident, Houssam Abdallah, the family's father, was shot six times, and his son, Abdel-Rahman Abdallah, was shot once[2][4]. The altercation began when a 26-year-old suspect attempted to steal the Abdallahs' vehicle and exchanged gunfire with police [2][4].
The family alleges that they were left on the ground without medical attention for at least an hour, handcuffed afterward [2][3]. They claim that the incident has caused severe physical and psychological trauma, disrupting their daily lives and affecting the family's ability to function as before [1][4].
The lawsuit is a civil action seeking compensation for these lasting injuries and changes to their lives due to the police's actions. The family's lawyer, Virginie Dufresne-Lemire, emphasized the profound impact: their lives have been "completely changed," and they are exercising their right to demand reparations for the ordeal [1][4].
Notably, Quebec’s Crown prosecution office decided in June 2025 not to lay charges against the police officers involved, following an investigation by the provincial police watchdog [2].
In addition to the lawsuit, the Abdallah family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for their legal costs [5].
Elsewhere, three suspected smugglers were arrested with 44 migrants near Stanstead [6]. Details about the new migrant detention center in Florida remain unclear [7].
Meanwhile, the SPVM is investigating the causes of the downtown Montreal fire, and no indications suggest the blaze is of a criminal nature [8].
In international news, U.S. President Trump has threatened to impose new tariffs against India if it continues to buy Russian oil, and he is ready to penalize New Delhi for such actions [9].
The SPVM has stated that it takes all allegations of police misconduct seriously but did not comment on the ongoing lawsuit to preserve the integrity of the judicial process [3].
References
- CityNews
- National Post
- Global News
- CTV News
- GoFundMe
- CBC News
- Associated Press
- Montreal Gazette
- Reuters
The Abdallah family's lawsuit against the Montreal Police Service and the City of Montreal, stemming from a police shootout, is a civil action within the realm of general-news, seeking compensation for the severe physical and psychological trauma caused by the incident. The family's allegations include negligence in providing immediate medical attention and lasting injuries that have changed their lives drastically, thus exercising their right to demand reparations (General-News, Crime-and-Justice).
In an external event, three smugglers were arrested, while details about a new migrant detention center in Florida remain unclear, highlighting the ongoing significance of crime-and-justice issues in broader political discussions (General-News, Crime-and-Justice).
