Montreal family shot and handcuffed during police gunfight sue city alleging negligence and discrimination
The Abdallah family filed a lawsuit in Quebec Superior Court on Monday. They are asking for more than $6 million in damages for the pain and suffering they say they experienced as a result of "negligent and reckless" actions of Montreal police during and after an exchange of gunfire with a suspect one year ago.
On Aug. 4, 2024, Abdel-Rahman Abdallah, 18 at the time, was unloading camping gear from his car in the driveway of the family's home in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, a city in Montreal's West Island, when a man with a gun arrived.
The lawsuit says the man, Nackeal Hickey, fleeing police, threatened the family and asked them for the keys to their vehicle. Pursuing police officers arrived, Hickey opened fire in the direction of the officers and a gunfight ensued.
Abdel-Rahman, and his father, Houssam, 52 at the time, were shot. The family says Abdel-Rahman was hit once near the spine and Houssam was struck six times as he dove to protect his son and his daughter, who was also outside.
But the family says Abdel-Rahman and Houssam lay on the ground wounded for an hour with no medical care for nearly an hour.
"During this hour that seems to last an eternity, Abdel-Rahman, despite the pain he feels, talks to his father Houssam about his pain and misery, to see if he is alive and to encourage him to remain conscious," the lawsuit says.
Officers then handcuffed the two men "without the officers providing them with the care they needed, while they were still on the ground, and without giving them any explanation as to why they had been arrested," according to the lawsuit.
The men were finally brought to hospital in separate ambulances, they say.
But since the shooting, the family says they have been living a nightmare. Houssam and Abdel-Rahman live with the effects of the gunshot wounds they suffered. Houssam underwent multiple surgeries and remains scarred and lacks feeling in his left leg. He needs to take medication.
Quebec's Crown prosecution office announced in June it would not lay charges against Montreal police officers in the case, following an investigation by the province's police watchdog.
Their lawsuit says police used excessive and negligent force when they fired approximately 40 shots in a residential area during their gunfight with Hickey. They also say police failed to act quickly enough to prevent Hickey from fleeing, gun in hand, toward the family.
They also allege police violated their rights when they arrested Houssam and Abdel-Rahman. They say Abdel-Rahman was racially profiled when police handcuffed him, assuming he was a suspect.
The family's other members have also suffered psychologically since the shooting and are requesting damages.
Prosecutors filed 15 criminal charges against Hickey, including four counts of attempted murder, illegal possession of a firearm, robbery and breaching bail conditions.
Hickey was arrested in July in a separate case and charged with breaking and entering. He was out on bail when the police say he fired on officers and sparked the gunfight.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Over 40 migrants 'crammed' into a truck were intercepted in Estrie, Que.
The RCMP logo is seen in Surrey, B.C., on Thursday, March 16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) intercepted three suspected smugglers and 44 migrants on Saturday night as they attempted to cross the Canadian-American border illegally near Haskell Road, close to Stanstead in Estrie, Que. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) says it has never seen a case of this magnitude in the area. According to CBSA Eastern Border District Director Miguel Bégin, 44 migrants, including children, were 'crammed into a cube truck with no ventilation,' which could have endangered their health. Three suspected smugglers were arrested and appeared in court while in custody. They are charged with illegally bringing people into Canadian territory and with bringing people into Canada at a location other than an official port of entry. They remain in custody and could face additional charges. The 44 migrants were transported to the Highway 55 border crossing in Stanstead. 'Officers and managers responded immediately to receive this group in the middle of the night,' Bégin told The Canadian Press. The 40 migrants were transported to the Regional Processing Centre in Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle to assess their eligibility for immigration procedures, such as asylum claims. However, Bégin said that some of them have already been returned to the United States because they did not meet the eligibility criteria. 'I have been with the CBSA for 25 years and, to my knowledge, we have never had such a large-scale organized illegal entry in our sector,' added Bégin. The investigation is ongoing. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Aug. 4, 2025.
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Motorcyclist killed in Highway 1 crash, say Langley RCMP
A motorcyclist has died after a crash on Highway 1 in Langley, B.C., Saturday evening, police say. Langley RCMP say emergency services responded to the collision in the westbound lanes of the highway between 264th and 248th streets at around 8:22 p.m. Despite life-saving efforts by paramedics and firefighters, the motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. "Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the individual who lost their life," Sgt. Zynal Sharoom with Langley RCMP said in a statement Monday. Mounties say collision analysts, BC Highway Patrol and Langley RCMP are now investigating. According to DriveBC, westbound lanes between 264th and 232nd streets were closed for over eight hours and reopened around 5 a.m. Sunday. Police say anyone who saw the crash or may have dashcam footage should contact Langley RCMP.
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
‘Disgusting act of hate': Victoria synagogue vandalized with antisemitic statements
The entrance of Congregation Emanu-el Synagogue in Victoria, B.C., was vandalized on Aug. 2, 2025. (Image credit: B.C.'s premier and public safety minister are condemning the vandalism of Canada's oldest surviving synagogue and pledging to support police and the community while an investigation is underway. The Victoria Police Department was called to the Congregation Emanu-el Synagogue on Saturday around 8 p.m. 'Officers documented the graffiti, and collected evidence, and then worked with City of Victoria to have it removed,' a spokesperson said in a statement. The Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver was among the groups who shared an image of the statements scrawled on one of the columns flacking the building's front entrance on social media, along with a statement. 'We absolutely denounce this act of hate and stand in unwavering solidarity with the Victoria Jewish community. No one should ever feel unsafe in their place of worship,' a statement posted to X said. Public Safety Minister Nina Krieger, whose constituency is in Victoria, also decried the vandalism. 'Hate has no place in our province,' she wrote. 'Antisemitism has no place in British Columbia. Hate vandalism, speech and intimidation are not protected expressions — they are crimes and will be treated as such. The province of B.C. stands with our Jewish community, and with all people vulnerable to hate and violence.' Premier David Eby echoed the sentiment. 'Antisemitism has no place in our communities – not now, not ever,' he wrote. 'The Jewish community and police have our full support as they investigate this disgusting act of hate.' The investigation is ongoing, according to police, who said they have no further information to share about the incident. First built in 1863, the synagogue is a national historic site of Canada.
