Montreal North youths ransacked businesses, threw rocks and bottles at riot police and set fires on Tuesday evening in scenes that were reminiscent of last summer's riots that followed the police shooting of local teenager Fredy Villanueva.
Police said they made nine arrests after 50 to 60 youths became rowdy in a park at the corner of Pascal and Rolland, near the spot where the 18-year-old Villanueva was shot and killed last August 8.
Officers say they arrived at the park around 10 p.m. and watched the youths for some time until people began pelting them with projectiles.
The officers called in the riot squad around midnight and a rampage ensued in which businesses, cars and a school were vandalized.
One officer suffered arm and facial injuries while making an arrest.
The suspects face several charges including assaulting a police officer, mischief and disturbing the peace.
Police chief on scene
Montreal Police Chief Yvan Delorme visited the scene personally on Wednesday morning, a sign of how sensitive the Montreal North situation has become since the shooting of Villanueva prompted a public inquiry, a litany of community programs and several meetings between police, advocates and local residents.
The teen's death set off a night of rioting in which a police officer was shot in the leg. The violence made national headlines and highlighted longstanding tensions between police and youths.
Quebec City reaction
In Quebec City, Public Security Minister Jacques Dupuis said a small group of agitators are responsible for the high tensions.
Dupuis vowed that police would not turn a blind eye but would continue to bring order to the area.
