Elisha Vernon Davis, a 31-year-old man from the Montreal area, was enjoying a night out at a popular music venue when his life was cut short by a sudden eruption of violence. He was a man who left many relatives and friends to mourn his unexpected passing in December 2018. His death remains an unsolved homicide, leaving his loved ones without answers and a killer still at large.
The night of the incident was Sunday, December 2, 2018, leading into the early hours of Monday, December 3. A musical event featuring artists from several major Canadian cities, including Toronto, was underway at the Belmont Bar, a licensed establishment on Boulevard Saint-Laurent near Avenue du Mont-Royal in Montreal's Plateau-Mont-Royal borough. Shortly after midnight, around 12:30 a.m., the vibrant atmosphere inside the crowded venue was shattered when an individual opened fire.
The gunshots sparked chaos, sending patrons scrambling for safety and rushing towards the exits.
In the confusion that spilled onto the street, several altercations broke out. It was during this turmoil outside the bar that a suspect fired a weapon in the direction of Elisha Vernon Davis. Elisha was fatally wounded and died from his injuries. Another person was also shot but survived. Police later clarified that the initial shooting inside the bar and the subsequent fatal shooting of Davis outside were likely not connected.
The Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) major crimes unit immediately took charge of the investigation. In the weeks following the murder, investigators appealed to the public, asking anyone who was at the Belmont that night to share photos and videos taken before and after the attack, hoping a stray image might contain a clue. Despite these efforts, the case grew cold.
Years later, the investigation gained new momentum. The SPVM released a crucial piece of evidence: surveillance footage captured at the building's emergency exit at the time of the incident. The video shows an altercation involving several people, including a person of interest whom authorities have been unable to identify. This individual is described as a Black man who was wearing a Toronto Raptors cap and a blue or purple hoodie. In the video, he is also seen holding a bottle of cognac. Investigators believe identifying this person is a critical step toward solving the case and have excluded a revenge motive, suggesting the shooting may have resulted from a conflict that erupted in the street.
In January 2026, as part of a new initiative to bring attention to unsolved murders, the SPVM renewed its public appeal for help in Elisha's case. They re-released the surveillance video and urged anyone who might recognize the man in the Raptors cap to come forward. The lead detective emphasized that identifying this individual would greatly advance the investigation.
The case remains open and active. As of January 2026, no arrests have been made, and the person who shot Elisha Vernon Davis has not been identified. His loved ones are still waiting for justice.
Info-Crime Montréal is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to the arrest of one or more suspects. Anyone who can identify the person in the video or has any information about the murder of Elisha Vernon Davis is urged to contact the SPVM’s major crimes unit directly at [email protected]. Tips can also be submitted by calling 911, visiting a local police station, or contacting Info-Crime Montréal anonymously and confidentially at 514-393-1133 or through their website.
