Canadian police warn of possible copycat attacks after deadly shootout in Montreal

Police in Canada are warning of possible copycat attacks after three people died in a shootout in Montreal and the assailant’s lengthy manifesto, which called for “a new bloodletting”, was posted online by a far-right outlet. The document contains many of the hallmark grievances of the “involuntary celibacy” – or “incel” – movement in addition racist and misogynistic conspiracy theories. Fear gripped Quebec’s largest city on Monday after a man dressed in military camouflage and carrying a long gun was spotted moving around the Côte-des-Neige neighborhood. Shooting broke out and when police arrived, nearly 30 shots were heard. The shootout killed one officer and the gunman. Video from witnesses appears to show the police accidentally killing a civilian during the firefight. Another injured officer suffered critical injuries but is expected to survive. Investigators from Quebec’s police watchdog, the bureau des enquêtes indépendantes (BEI) areinvestigating the deaths. After the shooting, Canada’s federal police sent a bulletin to police agencies across the country warning the gunman’s manifesto is “allegedly encouraging citizens to shoot police officers”. The alert called on police to “exercise extreme caution and remain highly vigilant”. …