Quebec’s police watchdog has completed its investigation into the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Nooran Rezayi by a Longueuil police officer. The Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes (BEI) delivered its final report to Quebec’s Director of Public Prosecutions (DPCP), which will determine whether to lay charges against the officer involved.

Mayor Pushes for Review of Local Police Force

Longueuil Mayor Catherine Fournier calls on Quebec Public Security Minister Ian Lafrenière to initiate an investigation into the Longueuil Police Service (SPAL). Her renewed request follows the closure of the BEI probe.

“Now that the BEI investigation is officially closed,” Fournier stated, “I invite Public Security Minister Ian Lafrenière to immediately launch the investigation into the Longueuil Police Service (SPAL) that I requested on December 11.”

Shooting Details and Community Backlash

The incident occurred last September when police responded to a 911 call reporting a group of armed individuals wearing masks. Officers arrived to find Rezayi and other youths walking in the area. Authorities state the unarmed teen was shot within seconds of the officer’s arrival.

The event sparked widespread community outrage and prompted Rezayi’s family to file a lawsuit against the police and the City of Longueuil.

Prior Concerns Over Police Response

Fournier’s December request stemmed from emails highlighting issues in the police handling post-shooting. BEI Director Brigitte Bishop questioned SPAL Chief Patrick Bélanger about officers conducting witness interviews and their own investigation, actions deemed inappropriate.

Bishop also noted that Bélanger provided inaccurate details, claiming officers delayed notifying the BEI to secure the scene amid additional 911 calls—calls later invalidated.

Family Seeks Answers

Virginie Dufresne-Lemire, lawyer for the Rezayi family, acknowledged the report’s transfer to the DPCP. “For the family, many questions remain about the sequence of events and the motive given to justify the fatal shooting, as well as about the subsequent investigations,” she stated. “They will await the decision of the DPCP and access to the full investigation.”

The SPAL offered no comment, and Minister Lafrenière’s office has not responded to inquiries.