Montreal, Canada – A crime reporter based in Montreal was the target of a convicted hitman who attempted to have him killed in order to halt his reporting for a Canadian news outlet. La Presse revealed this week that journalist Daniel Renaud was the subject of a $100,000 contract put out by Frederick Silva, a convicted murderer with alleged ties to multiple murder contracts.
Silva, who had been convicted of three murders and was suspected of being involved in over 65 murder contracts, had a contract against Renaud after the journalist reported on Silva’s criminal activities during his trial in 2021. The plot against Renaud was discovered by La Presse after Silva’s confessions as a police informant.
Although the hit on Renaud was never carried out, the revelation caused a stir in political and journalistic circles in Canada. Quebec Premier Francois Legault expressed disbelief at the situation, emphasizing the need for continued coverage of organized crime in the province.
Silva initially refused to become an informant for Canadian authorities after his conviction but later changed his mind, leading to the discovery of the contract against Renaud. The plan was for a killer to lure Renaud to a secluded spot under false pretenses and then gun him down. The contract was reportedly kept open for two months before Silva moved on to other matters.
The case of Renaud being targeted by a hitman shocked many in the journalistic community, drawing comparisons to a 2000 incident where another reporter was shot under similar circumstances. Canadian journalists and politicians have condemned the plot, with concerns raised about the safety and protection of journalists who investigate crime for the public good.
The revelations about the plot against Renaud have sparked discussions about the safety of journalists and the importance of their work in maintaining a healthy democracy. The incident has raised questions about the need for enhanced protections for journalists who risk their safety to uncover criminal activities.