Mouloud Moussouni was one of the first people to react when the sound of children screaming echoed through his Montreal neighborhood. The screams followed a tragic incident that claimed the life of a 41-year-old mother on Monday. Moussouni recounted the heartbreaking moment when one of the victim’s children disclosed that their father had killed their mother.
Since the incident, Moussouni has been restless, pondering if he could have done more to assist the woman. With his phone battery drained, he urgently called out to neighbors, urging them to dial 911. Ultimately, he resorted to using his landline to make the distress call.
According to the Montreal Police Service (SPVM), a 911 call was made around 2:25 p.m. reporting an incident on 39th Street near Paul-Corbeil Street in the Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension area. Upon arrival, law enforcement found a 41-year-old woman deceased and a 35-year-old man critically injured with upper body injuries consistent with a sharp object.
The man, who remains in critical condition, is a suspect in the ongoing investigation. Authorities have categorized this as a case of intimate partner violence but have not verified the man’s relationship to the children or the status of the couple’s relationship.
Expressing his distress, Moussouni lamented his inability to aid the woman further, stating his readiness to assist if given the opportunity. Neighbour Frankel Jean revealed that he took in the victim’s three children and a roommate’s child following the tragic event, providing them shelter until the police intervened.
Tragically, this incident is part of a concerning trend of violence against women in the greater Montreal area. The Coalition féministe contre la violence envers les femmes reported a total of 16 potential femicides in Quebec this year, with five women already having lost their lives to intimate partner violence in the region.
The need for enhanced support and awareness is underscored by recent events, prompting calls for greater sensitivity training and increased funding for services and shelters. Helene, a counselor at the West Island Women’s Shelter, emphasized the importance of recognizing signs of abuse and providing timely support to at-risk individuals.
Frantz Benjamin, the MNA for the Viau riding encompassing Saint-Michel, expressed shock over the recent tragedies, advocating for stronger measures to combat violence against women and provide psychological support to victims and their communities. Benjamin stressed the collective responsibility of society in addressing and preventing such acts of violence.
