Mourners Gather in Brossard for Funeral of Teen Shot by Longueuil Police
On Thursday morning, a somber gathering of approximately 1,300 family members, friends, and community members convened at a mosque in Brossard, Quebec, to offer prayers and pay their respects to Nooran Rezayi, a 15-year-old boy fatally shot by Longueuil police on Sunday, September 21.
A Community United in Grief
The Ismaili Jamatkhana was filled with mourners, many dressed in black or white, visibly shaken by the tragic loss of Nooran Rezayi. Emotions ran high as attendees struggled to contain their grief, with one teenager exclaiming "Justice for Nooran" upon entering the mosque. Zahrah Khademi, Rezayi's second cousin, described him as a young man "full of life, full of ambitions and possibilities," remembering his constant smile and kindness. She emphasized the community's desire to focus on his life, however short, and to bid him a final farewell.
Nooran's parents chose not to speak to the media, dedicating their attention to grieving and honoring their son. Inside the mosque, loved ones and community members packed the room, reciting salat al-janaza, the Muslim funeral prayer, and du'as, prayers of invocation, for Nooran. Reza Kalfane, a volunteer member of the Ismaili community leadership, explained that these prayers are specifically for the peaceful departure of the deceased.
Remembering Nooran: A Life Cut Short
Raihan Ansari, 14, who grew up with Nooran, attended the funeral to commemorate his friend. He described Nooran as "a great kid" and expressed his disbelief at seeing someone his age in a coffin. Mustapha Tamani, whose daughter was close to Nooran, has been providing support to grieving youths, noting their shock and anger. He highlighted the importance of supporting young people who are struggling to cope with the tragedy.
Tamani expressed concern about the impact on young people's perception of the police, stating, "Imagine for our young children, when they see a police car now, they panic, and it's sad to see that." He hopes the incident will be thoroughly investigated and that such a tragedy never happens again. Deedar Sadid, a member of Nooran's community, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the need for more information and expressing the community's pain and desire for answers.
The Investigation and Unanswered Questions
The circumstances surrounding Nooran's death remain unclear, and an investigation by Quebec's police watchdog (BEI) is underway. The BEI stated that Longueuil police received a 911 call reporting armed individuals in a public place. However, only the officer's service weapon was recovered from the scene. Eyewitnesses claim the shooting occurred rapidly with little interaction between the officer and the teen. The officer involved is currently on leave.
Lawyer Fernando Belton, representing the family, has raised concerns about the use of lethal force against an unarmed young boy carrying only his school bag. Fifteen BEI investigators are on the case, assisted by Montreal police. The head of the BEI stated that investigators have interviewed numerous witnesses and are analyzing seven videos of the incident.
