Witness, on the brink of tears, asserts persistence of the event
Amqui Tragedy Unfolds in Court
Bloody scenes from Amqui, Quebec, were relived in court this week as the trial for Steeve Gagnon began at Rimouski courthouse. Gagnon, a 40-year-old man, is accused of five charges: three counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder by means of a motor vehicle.
Witnesses vividly recalled the carnage left behind on that fateful March day in 2023 when Gagnon unleashed terror in downtown Amqui, killing three innocent pedestrians and injuring several others.
The Chaos Unfolds
Gagnon, at the wheel of his Ford F-150, swerved onto the sidewalk, leaving no room for bystanders. The scene was a living nightmare as bodies flew through the air, and lives were instantly shattered.
Francine Rioux, one of the witnesses, recalled the horrifying experience, "The first thing I saw was a small boy, a tiny ball, flying through the air. Then there was a woman, and there was a stroller too. I even saw someone pass underneath..." The horrific memory lingers in her mind.
On that day, Gagnon's truck struck a family, leaving survivors in disarray. A young boy was left dazed, bleeding from the corner of his mouth, without his shoes or hat. Another witness, Ken Moreau, just steps ahead of the family, heard the engine roar as the truck crashed into them. "The acceleration, I’ll always remember it."
"A Seething Resentment"
According to prosecutor Jérôme Simard, Gagnon was struggling with personal adversities that filled him with "seething resentment" against the State and doctors. The prosecution is juxtaposing financial instability, employment issues, poverty, and a disputed medical situation with doctors in their argument for Gagnon's motive.
Garnon's defense attorney refutes these claims, providing a contrasting narrative for the jury during this eight-week trial. It remains to be seen which story will resonate with the jury members as the evidence unfolds.
The trial resumes Tuesday before Quebec Superior Justice Louis Dionne and 13 jurors, with experts, testimonies, and conflicting narratives set to bring the Amqui tragedy to light. [1][2]
Enrichment Data:
The latest update on Steeve Gagnon's trial for the truck-ramming attack in Amqui, Quebec, Canada, involves the ongoing presentation of evidence in his trial. Gagnon, 40, faces five charges: three counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder. The trial began on May 16, 2025, in Rimouski, Quebec, with jury selection completed in half a day, although one juror needs to be replaced due to a conflict. The prosecution, led by prosecutor Jérôme Simard, plans to call approximately 50 witnesses over the course of eight weeks. Gagnon has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The incident occurred on March 13, 2023, when Gagnon allegedly drove his truck through the heart of Amqui, killing three men: Gérald Charest, 65, Jean Lafrenière, 73, and Simon-Guillaume Bourget, 41, and injuring nine others. The prosecution aims to present evidence, including financial issues and a video recording made by Gagnon before the incident, in which he expressed his intention to strike people with his truck. The trial is being presided over by Quebec Superior Justice Louis Dionne, who instructed jurors to strictly follow the evidence presented in court.
The prosecution in the Amqui tragedy trial is arguing that Steeve Gagnon's alleged actions were driven by a seething resentment against both the State and doctors, rooted in personal adversities such as financial instability, employment issues, poverty, and a disputed medical situation.
The trial, taking place in the realm of politics and general-news, revolves around the question of justice in this crime-and-justice case, as detailed witness accounts and conflicting narratives unfold in the Rimouski courthouse.
