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After Violent Riot On Sunday Residents Still Angry

Montreal - Many people are still simmering and angry after the streets of Montreal exploded in a violent summertime riot last Sunday.

Police responded to a situation in the Henri Bourassa Park on Saturday, and when the dust settled they have fired upon an 18-year-old Montreal youth, Freddy Villanueva.

Mr. Villanueva was with several other young people including his brothers when they were approached by police.

It is not clear exactly what happened, some say that nearly 20 young people surrounded the police and then the shot rang out in self defense.

Others who claim to be witnesses to the scene say that the police were not threatened in any way and the shot from a police weapon was totally unprovoked.

However everyone is in agreement that after the confrontation that youth and police clashed, resulting in a riot that lasted for several hours.

The feeling in the community is still simmering, and many feel that their neighborhood is often singled out for special policing of a negative nature from the Montreal Police.

The City of Montreal Mayor, as well as others has called for an independent inquiry into the events surrounding the riot, and the activity last Sunday night.

Hopefully, a third party such as the RCMP or Federal authorities will step in and aid in the investigation, because any investigation mounted by the Montreal police may not be accepted by the communities where the rioting took place.