Quebec police to release results of investigation into shooting that sparked riot

But Quebec provincial police also warned that only their conclusions will be released, and likely not before October, risking further tensions with a community that erupted in violence after the shooting.

A riot broke out in the city's north end on Sunday following a peaceful march to protest the death of 18-year-old Fredy Villanueva, who was among three people shot by police as they broke up a dice game in a park Saturday.

Community leaders say the only way to ease tensions between police and the neighbourhood's ethnic population is to hold a public inquiry.

"We do not believe that an internal (provincial) police investigation would be seen as fair, transparent, objective or credible enough to bring all the answers that people are looking for," said Fo Niemi of the Centre for Research-Action on Race Relations.

The criticism, echoed by other community groups, seemed to sting the provincial police force, which took the rare step of holding a news conference about their investigation.

Lt. Francois Dore said two white officers - one male and one female - approached a group of youngsters in a north-end park Saturday.

There was an altercation as they tried to arrest one of them and the male officer fired four shots.

Montreal officers have in the past been accused of racial profiling in the neighbourhood, where immigrants make up more than 30 per cent of the population.

Public Security Minister Jacques Dupuis is not ruling out a public inquiry at some point, but said Tuesday he first wants to see the provincial police report.

Provincial investigators met earlier Tuesday with the families of Villanueva and two other people who were wounded on Saturday.

"We found this meeting very positive and it allowed the families to ask questions which we answered," Dore told a news conference.

"We reassured the family that we are taking this investigation seriously. This inquiry will be handled with integrity, impartiality and with rigour."

The families did not stop to speak to reporters as they left police headquarters.

Despite meeting with some 30 witnesses since Saturday, Quebec police still have yet to interview the two officers involved in the shooting.

"We're not at the point where we have to meet these people right away," Dore said.

Questioned as to whether it was normal police procedure to have such a delay before meeting the central figures in an investigation, Dore answered: "It ain't the first time, that's for sure."

The Centre for Research-Action on Race Relations expressed reservations about the provincial police force investigating their Montreal counterparts, which it views as a conflict of interest.

The group said a public inquiry would allow the families to testify and would shed light on what exactly happened in the Montreal park.

"The advantage of a public inquiry is that it will look for the motives that feed this hatred of the police system," lawyer Jacky-Eric Salvant told a news conference.

"The other advantage of a public inquiry is that we will be able to analyze the intervention methods of police."

Dore said Quebec police will update the public throughout the investigation.

There will be a public viewing of Villanueva's body on Wednesday and a ceremony on Thursday.