Quebec Liberal MNA says he was victim of 'gratuitous attack' by 2 men in Laval

The Laval police service (SPL) is investigating after aQuebec LiberalMNA said hewas assaulted by two young men Monday afternoon.

In a tweet,Jean Rouselle, theMNA for Vimont, in Laval, said he suffered "blows to the face"in what he described as a "gratuitous attack."

According to Rouselle's office, the attack took place around 2 p.m. inan area of his office building where young people often gather to smoke cigarettes or cannabis.

The situation has been going on for "several months," according to Rouselle's office, adding that the MNA's political attach had to confront some youths a few weeks back.

SPL spokesperson StphanieBeshara said Rouselleapproached two young men who were using cannabis in the building.

"He warned them to leave the area ... as they were disturbing employees of the building," said Beshara.

Shortly after that, she said,the young men hitRouselle several times in theface and head,then fled on foot.

In his tweet, Rouselle,the Liberal critic for public security, said he's been calling for Quebec Public Security Minister Genevive Guilbaultto address violence issues in the province "for several weeks."

Quebec Liberal Leader Dominique Angladealso addressed the attack on Twitter, saying "the rise of violence in recent years in Quebec is particularly worrying."

Police say the investigation continues,and officers are looking at security cameras in hopes of identifying the suspects.