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École Polytechnique Massacre

The École Polytechnique Massacre was a mass shooting that took place on 6 December 1989 at École Polytechnique de Montréal in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The École Polytechnique Massacre was a mass shooting that took place on 6 December 1989 at École Polytechnique de Montréal in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Marc Lépine killed 14 women, injured 14 other people, and then died by suicide. The attack is widely described as anti-feminist and is one of the deadliest mass shootings in Canadian history.

Background

École Polytechnique is an engineering school in Montreal. The massacre took place during the school day and specifically targeted women in classrooms and other spaces inside the building.

The attack

According to accounts of the event, Lépine entered the school armed with a semi-automatic firearm, separated women from men, and opened fire on the women. He later died by suicide after the shooting spree.

Victims and impact

Fourteen women were killed and 14 people were wounded, making it the deadliest school shooting in Canadian history and one of the country’s worst mass shootings.

Legacy

The massacre became a major reference point in Canadian debates about gun violence, feminism, and violence against women. In 1991, Parliament established 6 December as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

Key facts

  • The attack occurred at École Polytechnique de Montréal on 6 December 1989.
  • Marc Lépine was the sole perpetrator and was 25 years old at the time.
  • Fourteen women were killed and 14 other people were injured.
  • The attack is commonly referred to as the Montreal Massacre.
  • It is widely treated as an anti-feminist and misogynistic act.
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Canadian context

The event is a major part of Canadian public memory and policy discussions on violence against women, gun violence, and commemorative practices. It is marked nationally on 6 December as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.[11]

Frequently asked questions

What happened at the École Polytechnique Massacre?
A gunman attacked École Polytechnique de Montréal on 6 December 1989, killed 14 women, injured 14 other people, and then died by suicide.
Who carried out the attack?
The perpetrator was Marc Lépine, who was 25 years old at the time.
Why is it considered significant in Canada?
It is one of the deadliest mass shootings in Canadian history and led to a national day of remembrance on 6 December.
What is another name for this event?
It is also commonly called the Montreal Massacre.
Was the attack targeted at women?
Yes. Multiple sources describe the attack as anti-feminist and note that Lépine targeted women specifically.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89cole_Polytechnique_massacre
    Supports: Date, location, victims, injury count, and common naming of the event.
  2. The Canadian Encyclopedia — https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/polytechnique-tragedy
    Supports: Date, location, anti-feminist framing, victim count, and names of the 14 women killed.
  3. Gouvernement du Québec — https://www.patrimoine-culturel.gouv.qc.ca/detail.do?methode=consulter&id=29015&type=pge
    Supports: Victim count and the national day of remembrance related to the tragedy.
  4. Global News — https://www.globalnews.ca/news/6242996/ecole-polytechnique-violence/
    Supports: Canada’s worst mass shooting framing and victim count.