Suspect charged after mass panic

Joseph So:se Montour was charged this week after a Facebook post from his account plunged the community and neighbouring areas into panic on Tuesday.

Though the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) did not directly name Montour, a press release on Wednesday revealed that the individual suspected of making the post had been officially barred from Kahnawake, after a Mohawk Council Executive Directive (MCED) was passed at an emergency meeting.

All Kahnawake Education Center (KEC) schools were placed under a “hold and secure” procedure on Tuesday morning as a preventative measure after a Facebook post with the words “mass shooting incoming” was posted on Montour’s account.

The post sparked widespread panic, prompting local schools and schools in neighbouring communities to shelter in place while authorities searched for the suspect. The operation to locate the suspect continued throughout the day and included the involvement of police in Chateauguay as well as the Montreal Police (SPVM).

Montour was arrested and placed in police custody in LaSalle, where the post was ultimately identified to have been made, by 6:20 p.m. Montour has since been charged and the case was back in court yesterday, though details of yesterday’s court appearance were not available at the time of publishing.

MCK chief Ryan Montour, who heads up the public safety portfolio, said that some client-facing units of the MCK were sent home, and additional security measures taken to secure the buildings throughout Tuesday morning and afternoon.

He took to a public Kahnawake 911 broadcast on Facebook to update the community about the search for the suspect as it happened.

“Individual community members were going through anxiety and mental anguish. There was a lot of worry, and fear, and panic,” Montour said. “We reminded the community to be cautious and calm, and at the same time be vigilant if they see anything. We felt the more eyes the better.”

Photos were shared of Joseph So:se Montour, who goes by Akwiranoron Montour on Facebook, throughout the day on social media, including by MCK chief Jeremiah Johnson, who posted his Facebook profile picture, urging community members to report any sightings to the Peacekeepers and not directly interact with him.

In addition to the hold-and-secure measures at KEC buildings, the Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre (KMHC) increased security measures, as did Step by Step, though neither initiated a full lockdown.

The New Frontiers School Board also initiated a precautionary shelter-in-place order for its elementary schools, Howard S. Billings Regional High School, the NOVA Career Centre, and its offices.

A subsequent post by the NOVA Career Centre stated that an individual matching the suspect’s description arrived at the centre, following which police were contacted, prompting the shelter-in-place order. The post stated that once Chateauguay police were involved, they ultimately let the centre know that the order could be lifted.

KEC director of education Falen Iakowennaiéwas Jacobs said that the hold went well in Kahnawake, with stress minimized to students and staff - many students were unaware that there was any situation unfolding and were able to continue regular classes. Jacobs said that resources such as counselling have been made available for anyone in the KEC community who still feels shaken.

“It wasn’t an imminent threat, but it was still something to be concerned about, because our student, our staff, our family and community safety is of the utmost importance,” she said. “I’d rather be too cautious than not cautious enough.”

The holds were lifted strategically after 12:30 p.m., with extra patrols around the school and early release for students coordinated for safety.

“I really empathized and felt for the parents who wanted to come there and take their kids, but I thank the community for respecting our protocol, and the safest place for students during times like that is in the school,” she said. “We have these protocols to protect our students and staff, and we don’t release the hold until we’re very sure that there’s not an imminent threat.”

Following the arrest of the suspect on Tuesday evening, the MCK shared that the MCED had been passed on Wednesday morning, with a press release describing the decision as “a critical step in ensuring that this individual does not set foot in our community again.”

Ryan Montour said that part of the Council table’s decision to pass the MCED includes petitioning the prosecutor’s office to include conditions for the individual not to be allowed in the territory - the MCK had sent a letter after the August 2025 incident stating that Joseph So:se Montour was no longer entitled to reside in the community, but he said that the hope is for the MCED to strengthen the MCK’s position.

He said that to the best of the Council’s knowledge, the individual had respected conditions to stay away from Kahnawake since his August arrest.

“The actions of this individual, past and present, have disrupted the peace and tranquillity of Kahnawake. The safety and well-being of Kahnawa’kehro:non is paramount,” said MCK chief Iohahi:io Delisle. “The MCK is taking this step to reaffirm its commitment to public safety and to support those who uphold peace in the territory.”

In November 2024, Joseph So:se Montour was arrested in connection with a shooting threat made by phone to the KMHC, facing six separate charges. After being released from custody the following January, he was arrested again in March after a call was made from inside his Kahnawake residence, facing three charges and ultimately being released on bail.

In August, he was again arrested, after an anonymous online account posted inappropriate images of women and girls from the community. Community members protested at his home, alleging he was involved in the incident, following which he threatened violence and shot protestors with a pellet gun. He was arrested on multiple charges after a high-risk arrest.

Peacekeeper spokesperson Kyle Zachary confirmed that the suspect is currently in custody after a joint operation with the SPVM and police in LaSalle. He also stated that the Peacekeepers would be unable to name the individual until he appears in court.

“We take instances like this very seriously and we’re grateful that the community is trusting us to be there for them and look out for their best interests,” Zachary said. “We appreciate their assistance in reporting these things and if there’s any further instances the community can contact the Peacekeepers.”

Joseph So:se Montour has been charged with uttering a threat to cause death or bodily harm to the general population, and with mischief which did “obstruct, interrupt or interfere with the lawful use, enjoyment or operation of property, the value of which exceeded $5,000 to wit: schools and daycares.”

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