Montreal trial debates murder vs. manslaughter in 2021 drive-by shooting death
A fatal drive-by shooting in Montreal's St-Léonard borough has led to a high-profile trial over the death of 38-year-old Meriem Boundaoui. Salim Touaibi, the man accused of firing the fatal shot, now faces legal arguments over whether his actions constitute murder or manslaughter.
The incident took place on February 7, 2021, when Touaibi fired at a Volkswagen Jetta, killing Boundaoui. He has admitted to pulling the trigger but claims he did not intend to kill her. His defence lawyer, Marc Labelle, argues that the charge should be manslaughter rather than murder.
The dispute leading to the shooting stemmed from a long-running feud between two family businesses—a butcher shop owned by the Boundaouis and a rival shop run by the Rhazi family. Both shared a parking lot in Hérouville-Saint-Clair, France, where tensions over parking spots had escalated over time. Though Boundaoui was not directly involved in the conflict, she became a victim when the feud turned violent. The fatal stabbing of Meriem Boundaoui by a member of the Rhazi family on October 3, 2024, marked the climax of this bitter rivalry. However, the Montreal shooting in 2021 remains the focus of the current trial, where Touaibi's intent is now under scrutiny.
The court must decide whether Touaibi's actions were premeditated or reckless. If convicted of manslaughter instead of murder, his sentence could be significantly reduced. The outcome will hinge on whether the prosecution can prove he intended to kill Boundaoui that day.
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