Third suspect arrested in 2022 Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension murder
Lee Van Smath Germain, 35, was arrested in Metro Vancouver and is expected to be extradited to Quebec to face charges.
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A third suspect has been arrested and charged in connection with the 2022 murder of a 30-year-old man in Montréal's Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension borough.
Lee Van Smath Germain, 35, was arrested on July 13 in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, following a major police operation. He is expected to be extradited to Quebec, where he is scheduled to appear in court.
The victim was fatally shot on May 11, 2022. Shortly before 5 p.m., Montreal police received multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire near the intersection of Shelley Avenue and Crémazie Boulevard West. When officers arrived, they found the 30-year-old man suffering from gunshot wounds and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Germain is the third person to be charged in connection with the killing. In January, police arrested Pedro Kela, 38, and Nicko Bélisle, 27, who also face charges related to the homicide. The arrests are part of Project Alliance, a joint investigation targeting several organized crime-related murders committed in Montréal and elsewhere in Quebec. Since June 2025, the investigation has resulted in a dozen arrests.
At a glance
Who was arrested in this case and where?
Lee Van Smath Germain, 35, was arrested on July 13, 2026 in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia.
When did the murder occur?
The 30-year-old victim was fatally shot on May 11, 2022 near the intersection of Shelley Avenue and Crémazie Boulevard West in Montréal's Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension borough.
How many suspects have been charged in total?
Three suspects have been charged: Lee Van Smath Germain, Pedro Kela (arrested in January 2026), and Nicko Bélisle.
