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Police in New Brunswick, Canada, are sweeping the area of Moncton in a manhunt for a lone gunman who has killed three Royal Mounted police officers and wounded another two.
The killer has been identified as 24-year-old Justin Bourque, who is believed to be armed with an automatic weapon. It is one of the worst losses of life in the RCP’s history.
The Mounties tweeted an image of the suspect dressed head to toe in military camouflage including a headband, with an assault rifle slung over each shoulder.
People have been warned to stay inside their homes and lock their doors and drivers were also told to stay away from the area.
Mr Theriault said police responded to a call yesterday about an armed man in the north end of the normally peaceful town on Canada’s east coast at 7.30pm local time.
Constable Damien Theriault said the search for Bourque was concentrated around two streets in Moncton.
Construction worker Danny Leblanc, 42, said he saw a man in the distance wearing a camouflage outfit and standing in the middle of the street with his gun pointed at police cars.
He described hearing a burst of automatic gunfire coming from the man’s gun.
“That guy was standing on the road afterwards and he was looking towards us,” he said.
He said he quickly retreated into his home and remained there with his family. At one point a neighbour posted on social media that their kitchen window was shattered by gunfire.
Mr Leblanc, who was in contact with friends on Facebook, said few people on his normally quiet street were sleeping as they awaited word at midnight on whether arrests had been made.
Word that police had been killed shocked the city, he said.
“It’s devastating. I don’t know if he was on a hunt for them, or what,” he said.
Moncton mayor George LeBlanc urged all residents to pay strict attention to police warnings.
“The police and other emergency personnel are working under extremely difficult conditions and need our complete co-operation. Stay home, stay safe. If you cannot get home, seek out a friend or family and remain there until you are advised otherwise,” Mr LeBlanc said.
“We are still actively looking for the shooter,” Mr Theriault said. “He is believed to still be in the Pinehurst subdivision area of Moncton. We are urging people in that area to stay inside and lock their doors and for people to say away from that area.”
Asked how he was dealing with his grief, Mr Theriault said he personally knew the officers, before breaking down and excusing himself because he could not complete his sentence.
Agencies/Canadajournal
