The quiet of the LaSalle borough was shattered once again early Monday morning, marking the second time in less than a week that a local bar has been targeted by gunfire. The incident is the latest chapter in a growing crisis of intimidation and violence gripping Montreal’s commercial sectors, as organized crime groups continue to wage a brazen turf war.

Monday Morning Ambush

Montreal police (SPVM) received multiple 911 calls shortly after 12:10 a.m. on December 8, reporting gunshots on Dollard Avenue near the intersection of Lithuania Street. Upon arrival, officers discovered bullet holes in the front window of a bar and a neighbouring business.

According to SPVM spokesperson Johany Charland, suspects had fled the scene by the time police arrived. “Although someone was present at the scene inside the establishment, there were no reported injuries,” Charland confirmed.

A security perimeter was quickly established, shutting down the area as forensic technicians and K9 units combed the street for shell casings and other evidence.

A Pattern of Intimidation

Monday’s shooting bears a striking resemblance to an incident that occurred just days prior. On Thursday, December 4, another licensed establishment on Thierry Street, near Newman Boulevard, was riddled with bullets around 1:15 a.m. In that case, the bar was closed, and no injuries were reported.

The proximity of the two attacks—both in LaSalle and both targeting bars under the cover of darkness—has heightened fears that specific businesses are being systematically squeezed by criminal networks.

The Wider “Extortion War”

These shootings are not isolated events. They fall against the backdrop of a violent struggle involving Montreal-area street gangs and organized crime syndicates. Intelligence suggests a volatile conflict over “protection taxes”—extortion fees demanded from restaurant and bar owners.

The violence has drawn the attention of provincial officials. Quebec Liberal MNA Jennifer Maccarone has publicly called for a parliamentary commission to investigate the grip organized crime has on Quebec merchants. The opposition is demanding answers as to why arson and drive-by shootings have become a near-weekly occurrence in the Greater Montreal Area.

Investigation Ongoing

As of Monday morning, no arrests have been made in connection with either LaSalle shooting. The SPVM has not officially linked the two incidents, though investigators are reviewing surveillance footage from the Dollard Avenue scene.

Police are urging anyone with information to contact 911 or submit an anonymous tip via Info-Crime Montréal at 514-393-1133.