3 dead after multiple people shot in Montreal's east end, police say

Montreal police say three people have died after five people were hit by gunfire in the city's east end on Monday. The shooting is being investigated as a homicide.

Julien Lévesque, a spokesperson for the city's police service, said the victims were shot in an apartment building on Perras Boulevard, near 54e Avenue, in the Rivière-des-Prairies neighbourhood at around 7 p.m. Monday. 

The shots came from outside the building and all the people shot were in the same apartment, police say. 

The five victims were transported to hospital but three of them, a 63-year-old man and two 29-year-olds, died overnight, Lévesque said. 

One man was seriously hurt, but his injuries are not life threatening while the other victim, a minor, was lightly injured, Radio-Canada has learned.

Lévesque said several people called 911 to report the shooting. At first, police said the shots came from a car, but later said that is not confirmed and still under investigation. 

Radio-Canada reports that several witnesses claim dozens of shots, fired in rapid succession, came from two different cars.

Victoria Joseph, who just moved into the area two days before, was sleeping when she heard what she thought was an explosion or something heavy falling down. There were several loud noises in rapid succession.

"I don't really feel safe," said Joseph. "It's not a good start."

Borough Mayor Caroline Bourgeois says she is working with police to keep the neighborhood safe. 

"All efforts are being deployed to bring calm back to the area. It's our priority," Bourgeois wrote on Twitter Monday night. 

On Tuesday morning, the police perimeter was still set up and the major crimes and forensic units were at the scene. Police are asking anyone with information to contact the Info-Crime tip line.