Three weeks after father and son were shot during a police gunfight, a family in Quebec is seeking answers

The Abdallah family in Montreal is seeking answers after a traumatic incident on August 4, where Houssam Abdallah, 52, and his son Abdel Rahman, 18, were caught in a crossfire between police and a suspect.

The father and son were both injured by gunfire, with Houssam still in intensive care after being shot five times, and Abdel Rahman, who has since been released from the hospital, was shot in the back.

The family is struggling with the uncertainty surrounding the incident, particularly the origin of the bullets that injured them.

They have not been informed whether the shots that hit Houssam and Abdel Rahman came from the police or the suspect, Nackeal Hickey, who was allegedly trying to steal their vehicle.

Furthermore, the family is distressed over why both men were handcuffed by police after being injured.

Despite Houssam’s attempts to explain to the officers that they were not suspects, his handcuffs were only removed after a paramedic intervened, while Abdel Rahman remained handcuffed until he reached the hospital.

The Abdallah family, still reeling from the physical and emotional aftermath, held a news conference to demand more transparency and support.

They have encountered significant challenges in receiving assistance, with limited information provided about financial compensation and the lack of cohesive support from victim aid groups.

Jana Abdallah, Houssam's daughter, expressed frustration at the lack of clarity and support, highlighting the psychological toll on the entire family, particularly on her nine-year-old brother, who is now suffering from nightmares.

The Quebec provincial police and the Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes, the province’s police watchdog, are currently investigating the incident, but the family feels left in the dark regarding the investigation's progress and their potential eligibility for compensation.

Despite these challenges, Jana is determined to continue her studies at Concordia University, motivated by her father’s wish to see her graduate.

The Abdallah family hopes that the public attention from their news conference will bring about greater transparency and provide them with the answers and support they desperately need.