Moncton
Manhunt – 3
RCMP officers shot dead, 2 injured
This is ongoing.
LATEST UPDATES:
-3 RCMP officers were shot and killed, 2 injured. The two injured officers are being treated for wounds that the RCMP described as non life-threatening.
-Massive Manhunt continues for the alleged gunman, identified as 24-year-old Justin Bourque, who is believed to be hiding in Moncton’s north end.
-Roadblocks have been up all night in the search area and police have urged people to stay in their homes with the doors locked.
-Schools remain closed and the city pulled its buses off the roads because of the manhunt.
MONCTON – Heavily armed RCMP officers in Moncton, N.B., continue to hunt for a gunman suspected of killing three officers and injuring two others.
RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Chantal Farrah told media Thursday morning the suspect was still at large and asked residents in a large portion of the city to remain inside and lock their doors while police continue to search for 24-year-old Justin Bourque.
Roadblocks and traffic disruptions are expected in the area and schools have been closed. The city also pulled its buses off the roads and Canada Post cancelled delivery.
Bourque is allegedly carrying high-powered rifles, a crossbow and knife and is considered dangerous.
Police are also asking the public not to disclose police operation details on social media as the search continues.
Shortly before midnight local time, police said they believed Bourque was at large in the Pinehurst subdivision area of the city.
A photo from the Moncton Times and Tran****** showed a heavily armed man wearing army fatigues.
RCMP blocked a number of roads and urged people in the area to stay inside their homes and lock their doors.
“We are professionals. We will ensure the security of the public. We are going to do that,” said Codiac RCMP spokesperson Const. Damian Theriault, who later broke down in tears at a media briefing with the city’s mayor when he was asked how officers are balancing their grief and the difficult task of searching for the suspect.
Theriault said police from other areas of the province and neighbouring provinces were involved in the search.
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Police officers take cover behind their vehicles in Moncton, New Brunswick, on Wednesday June 4, 2024. #MonctonShooting: Shock, sadness, fear plays out on Twitter
RCMP officers use their vehicle to create a keep a perimeter in Moncton, N.B.on Wednesday June 4, 2024. The RCMP in New Brunswick says an undisclosed number of people have been shot and a Manhunt is underway in the north end of Moncton for a man armed with guns. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Marc Grandmaison Other RCMP officers killed by gunfire in the line of duty
He did not confirm whether the shootings were part of a targeted attack, but investigators did not believe any civilians were involved in the shooting.
The Horizon Health Network, a provincial health authority, said on its Twitter feed that two patients were taken to the Moncton Hospital with gunshot wounds.
“[Moncton Hospital] is restricting visitors to those with critically ill family members. All others are asked to refrain from visiting at this time,” Horizon Health CEO John McGarry told reporters.
McGarry explained the hospital went into Code Orange at about 8:30 p.m. and the facility was put on lockdown.
“[Code Oranges] are not just basic trauma,” he explained. “They are mass casualties expected.”
“It’s normal procedure… to control the environment and the outside. Our staff need to get in and they need to be unimpeded.”
The lockdown would remain in place as long as needed, McGarry added. Code Orange was lifted at about 1:30 a.m.
He estimated many dozen staff, possibly as many as 100, were on duty to deal with the situation.
Moncton Hospital Chief of Staff Dr. Dhany Charest said the two wounded officers were in stable condition with non-life threatening injuries.
Charest added another victim from a separate shooting incident was also being treated at the hospital.
“This person is in critical condition in the [operation room],” he said.
The separate, unrelated shooting took place on Saint Laurent Street, in nearby Dieppe, at about 10:30 p.m.
READ MORE: Other RCMP officers killed by gunfire in the line of duty
Premier David Alward offered his thoughts and prayers to those affected by the shooting.
“I was shocked and saddened to learn of tonight’s tragic situation in Moncton,” he said in a statement.
Early Thursday morning, Prime Minister Stephen Harper offered his condolences, calling it “a sad time for the people of Moncton, the people of New Brunswick and for Canada.”
“On behalf of all Canadians, Laureen and I offer our deepest condolences to the families, colleagues and friends of those affected by this tragedy,” Harper said in a statement. “We also offer our prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured.”
The prime minister said the sacrifice of the officers will be “honoured and remembered.”
“This violent incident is a stark reminder that our men and women in law enforcement put their lives on the line in Canada every day to protect our citizens and communities,” Harper said.
Governor General David Johnston also released a statement Thursday morning.
“Those who wear the colours of the RCMP understand the risks of the uniform, but defend our communities time and again with bravery and courage,” he said. “In cases of unthinkable violence, we come together as a community and as a country to mourn.”
Sean Gallacher, who lives near the area where police are concentrating their search, told The Canadian Press he heard what he now believes were gunshots but initially thought his daughter had dropped some toys on the floor above him.
“I was downstairs and heard a few bangs,” said Gallacher, 35.
“I went to check but she hadn’t dropped anything. Then I heard the news and realized what it actually was.”
The shootings in Moncton also brought back memories of an RCMP tragedy in Mayerthorpe, Alta., on March 3, 2024, when Constables Anthony Fitzgerald Orion Gordon, Lionide (Leo) Nicholas Johnston, Brock Warren Myrol and Peter Christopher Schiemann were shot and killed.
Source: Manhunt in Moncton continues: Alleged shooter spotted Thursday morning | Globalnews.ca
