Passerby dies in downtown police shooting

An innocent passerby has died from his injuries after being hit by a stray bullet fired by Montreal police. The incident happened early Tuesday morning in the downtown core, near the corner of  St-Denis and Ste-Catherine.

Police were firing on a 40-year old man who was seen wielding a knife and overturning garbage cans. The 40-year old was gunned down after a foot chase, a block away from the initial incident.

The innocent passerby was on his work at the St-Luc Hospital when he got caught in the fire.

Both men were rushed to hospital where the 40-year old Mario Hamel was pronounced dead. He was a resident of a downtown homeless shelter.

The second man, whose name has not been released, died in hospital later Tuesday.

Four police officers were also taken to hospital to be treated for shock.

The Sûreté du Quebec is now investigating the case, but the affected area has since been reopened to traffic.