The people who vandalized Montreal North last night were not from the borough, and it was a strategic decision from police to let them do the damage they did, officials said Thursday morning.

Late Wednesday night, cars, businesses and a police station were vandalized after a small group of protestors broke off from the two demonstrations that had taken place hours earlier.

A vigil to celebrate Fredy Villanueva’s birthday — who would have turned 26 if not shot and killed by police in 2008 — was peaceful and attended by about 60 people.