Defendant Insists He Was Lone Gunman in Fatal St-Léonard Shooting
During a tense cross-examination at the Montreal courthouse, Salim Touaibi, 30, repeatedly asserted that he was the sole individual who fired the shots that resulted in the death of 15-year-old Meriem Boundaoui in St-Léonard five years ago. The incident, which occurred on February 7, 2021, has led to first-degree murder charges against both Touaibi and his co-accused, Aymane Bouadi, 30.
Emotional Testimony Describes Accidental Shooting
Touaibi testified with visible frustration, punctuating his statements with heavy sighs and occasional hand gestures. He described the shooting as a tragic accident, stating emphatically, "It was stupid. It was disgusting." According to his account, he fired eight shots toward a Volkswagen Jetta containing the teenager, but claimed his intention was merely to scare people during what he characterized as a conflict mediation attempt.
The defendant maintained that Bouadi, his childhood friend, had minimal involvement in the events leading to the shooting. Prosecutor Katerine Brabant challenged this narrative, suggesting Touaibi might be sacrificing himself to protect Bouadi and another individual, Abdelbari Bensalem, who faces no charges.
Conflict Over Parking Spaces Preceded Tragedy
The Crown's theory posits that the shooting emerged from an escalating dispute between two families operating businesses in St-Léonard. The Bensalem family, owners of a food store and bakery, allegedly clashed with the Rekik family, proprietors of a hair salon, primarily over parking spaces used by their respective clients.
Evidence presented indicates that Bensalem was assaulted the day before the shooting, prompting Touaibi to attempt contact with the Rekik family. A heated phone call, recorded on video by the recipient, culminated in an agreement to meet at the intersection of Valdombre and Jean-Talon Streets—the exact location where Boundaoui was seated in the Jetta.
Forensic Evidence and Defendant's Account
Brabant displayed photographic evidence showing multiple bullet impacts on the driver's side of the Jetta, including three shots through the driver's side window. When questioned whether the shooter was aiming for the driver, Touaibi reiterated that his actions were not intended to kill or harm anyone, noting this was only the second time he had discharged a firearm.
"I am here to explain the circumstances of this," Touaibi declared. "I want to tell the truth to the world. It was a question of survival." He described a scenario where, after pulling up near the Jetta, someone threw a backpack at him, causing him to panic, retrieve a firearm from a man purse, and fire warning shots.
Trial Proceedings and Upcoming Sessions
The cross-examination revealed contrasting perspectives between the defense and prosecution. While Touaibi steadfastly denied Bouadi's involvement, Brabant probed the possibility of alternative scenarios. The trial, which has captivated Montreal's legal community, is scheduled to resume on Monday as the jury continues to evaluate the evidence and testimony.
Meriem Boundaoui's death has left a lasting impact on the St-Léonard community, highlighting the tragic consequences of urban conflicts. The courtroom proceedings aim to unravel the precise sequence of events that led to the loss of a young life, with Touaibi's insistence on sole responsibility forming a central pillar of the defense's case.
