Maxi grocery store stabbing prompts tips from public

Montreal police are asking the public to come forward with any information regarding a suspect in the fatal stabbing of a Maxi grocery store employee in St-Michel.

Const.Abdullah Emran says investigators have checked out about 20 tips since the fatal attack on Clmence Beaulieu-Patry, 20,Sunday evening.

"We encourage citizens to keep an eye open and continue to call police if they believe theyknow the suspect," Emran said Tuesday.

Beaulieu-Patrywas working in the clothing sectionof the Maxi,atthe intersection ofPapineauAvenue andCrmazieBoulevard East,when she was stabbed in the neck.She died shortly after.

The attack happened at around 8:30 p.m.,in front of customers.

Police released an image taken fromsurveillance video that shows the suspect, a black manbetween25 and 30 years old.

"Presently, the investigators are not able to make a link between the suspect and the victim. So,as far as they know, there is no link," said Emran.

Emransaid it wasn't clear why the suspect targetedBeaulieu-Patry. The storewas full of people at the time.

Store reopens with increased security

After being closed for the investigation onMonday, the Maxi was open again for business Tuesday morning.

About 30 people were working at the store at the time of the attack. Their union has offered counselling.

A bouquet of flowers was placed outside the store in tribute toBeaulieu-Patry, who had worked at the store since 2013.

Loblaws, the company that runs the store, said in a statement Monday that it wouldput in place increased security measures.

A securityguard was out front early Tuesday as workers entered the store.