A Quebec coroner’s inquiry is listening to police officers who were involved in the unsuccessful arrest that resulted in the death of an officer.
William Berrouard, a Quebec provincial police patrol officer, said he was surprised when Isaac Brouillard Lessard attacked him with a knife while trying to arrest him for making threats and breaking probation.
On March 27, 2023, Brouillard Lessard seriously injured Berrouard and fatally stabbed Sgt. Maureen Breau before being shot dead by police in his apartment building. Maureen Breau to death before being shot dead by police in his apartment building.
Berrouard said he feared for his life due to the knife wounds to his head as he sought shelter behind a mattress in the hallway and his colleagues opened fire on Brouillard Lessard.
The officer stated that he and three colleagues had previously visited the apartment after Brouillard Lessard’s parents reported their son's deteriorating mental health and psychosis.
On that day, they found Brouillard Lessard to be cooperative and not an immediate threat, so there was no reason to detain him.
