Police are allowing residents in a Montreal neighborhood to return home after a bomb scare and attempted attack on one of their neighbours -- a well-known retired police officer.
Major crimes commander Andre Bouchard was apparently targeted by an armed man Thursday shortly after 7 a.m. According to reports, Bouchard opened his door to see someone brandishing a high-powered automatic weapon. He fled back inside and called 911. Bouchard said the suspect fled the scene by car and may have left a package under a vehicle in Bouchard's driveway. At least 10 police cruisers had descended upon the area and about 30 houses in the neighbourhood were evacuated.
"We don't want to take any chances," a police officer said from the scene.
The bomb squad was called in but CTV's Genevieve Beauchemin reported Thursday afternoon police did not find anything -- and were allowing residents evacuated from their homes to return.
Police are keeping the immediate area clear so they can continue their investigation. "They want to pick up fingerprints (or) anything that was left behind by the suspect," said Beauchemin.
Bouchard was a police officer for 34 years when he retired in 2004. He has long been a vocal opponent against organized crime and gangs.
"He investigated some of the toughest criminals in the city. He was part of the homicide squad," said Beauchemin.
Bouchard appeared to be uninjured after the morning's events and could be seen waving to his neighbours. Beauchemin said he spent much of the day at a police station speaking to officers about the incident.
