A tense scene unfolded in downtown Montreal Thursday morning, culminating in the arrest of Kodee McDonald, 34, after a foot pursuit that involved a collision between police vehicles and the discharge of a firearm.
During a brief court appearance via video conference, McDonald directly addressed the judge, questioning, “You didn’t see the video?” His remark alluded to footage captured by a witness documenting the incident near the bustling intersection of Ste-Catherine and Berri Streets.
The video reportedly shows officers cautiously approaching a man believed to be armed with a knife. The situation rapidly escalated as the man fled, triggering a chaotic chase and a collision between two patrol cars.
Authorities confirmed that rubber bullets and at least one live round were fired during the pursuit, though thankfully, the suspect was not struck. A stun gun was also deployed in attempts to subdue McDonald.
McDonald now faces charges of assaulting police officers while armed with a weapon and resisting arrest. Adding to the severity, he is also accused of violating a court order prohibiting him from possessing weapons while on probation.
This is not McDonald’s first encounter with the law. His extensive criminal record includes a recent 150-day prison sentence, followed by three years of probation, stemming from convictions for mischief and violating previous probation orders related to an assault conviction earlier this year.
Court records reveal a pattern of violent offenses, with at least six prior assault convictions dating back to 2011. In 2016, he received a significant 52-month prison term.
A particularly disturbing incident from 2015, reported by a local South Shore newspaper, details McDonald forcibly entering a former girlfriend’s apartment and repeatedly punching her in the face. This led to a lifetime weapons ban issued by the presiding judge.
During Friday’s hearing, a Crown prosecutor requested a swift mental health evaluation for McDonald and opposed his release. McDonald himself appeared surprised by the decision to detain him.
“What did I do? I assaulted a police officer,” he stated, seemingly disoriented. A legal aid lawyer entered a not guilty plea on his behalf and requested all future proceedings be conducted in English.
The case has been adjourned until Monday, leaving many questions unanswered about the events that unfolded and the circumstances surrounding McDonald’s actions.
