Shots fired at office of man who owns Old Montreal buildings that were sites of fatal fires

A building in Old Montreal that was shot at overnightbelongs to a man who also ownsproperties that were the sites of two fatal fires the most recent last Friday.

Montrealpolice arrested twoyoung men and a teenager in connection with Tuesday night'sshooting. Their ages are 20, 19 and 17.

The building that was hit by bullets,808 Berri St., is listed as the office for lawyer mile Benamor. Benamor owns the building, according to property records.

Benamoralso owns thebuilding at the corner of Notre-Dame and Bonsecoursstreets where two people died in last Friday's fire, as well as the building near the corner of Place d'Youville and St-Nicolas Street, where seven people died in March 2023.

On Wednesday, a Radio-Canada reporter spotted Benamor near the scene of last week's fire, as he appeared to be surveying the damage. The reporter attemptedto ask himquestions about thefire as well as the shooting at his office.

Benamor did not respond.

On Monday, Quebec's chief coroner announced there would be a public inquiry into the Oct. 4fire that killed a mother and her seven-year-old daughter. The inquiry could be combined with the one that was ordered for the 2023 fire that killed seven people.

A criminal investigation of the most recent fire is ongoing. The file for last year's incidenthas been transferred to the Crown prosecutor's office, which will decide if charges will be laid.

Suspects arrested near scene

According to police spokesperson Jean-Pierre Brabant, a 911 call was placed around11 p.m. on Tuesday about shots fired near the corner of Berri and St-Antoine streets.

Brabant saidpolice received information about a small white truck seen leaving the scene.

The spokesperson said officers interceptedthe truck shortly after. It was parked not far from where the shots had been heard. The truck then drove off before being pulled over near Htel-de-Ville Avenue and BoisbriandStreet.

Brabant saida gun was found inside the truck.