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Manhunt in Moncton, Canada after three police shot dead

Section of city in New Brunswick province cordoned off with residents told to stay indoors

Three police officers were shot dead in the Canadian city of Moncton and two more were wounded as they conducted a manhunt for a man carrying a rifle and wearing camouflage clothes, Canadian police said yesterday. Video: Reuters
Thu Jun 05 2014 - 13:29

Police in Canada are focusing on two streets in a massive manhunt for a gunman who shot dead three officers and wounded two others.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police named the suspect as Justin Bourque (24) of Moncton, New Brunswick, and said he was armed and dangerous.

The force tweeted an image of a suspect wearing military camouflage and wielding two guns.

“Three officers mortally wounded by shooter,” the force said on Twitter. “Two officers sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Shooter still actively sought.”

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Constable Damien Theriault said the search for Bourque was concentrated around two streets in Moncton, which has a population of some 70,000.

Mr Theriault said police responded to a call yesterday about an armed man in the north end of Moncton at 7.30pm local time.

Three of the responding officers were killed and two were wounded and in a stable condition. “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.

The Horizon Health Network, a provincial health authority, said two patients were taken to the Moncton Hospital with gunshot wounds.

People in the area have been warned to stay inside their homes and lock their doors and drivers were also told to stay away.

Such violence is rare in Canada, particularly on the country’s east coast.

Sean Gallacher, who lives near the area where police were concentrating their search, said 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 Mr Gallacher, 35.

Canadian public safety minister Steven Blaney tweeted that he was "shocked by the tragedy" and that his thoughts and prayers were with front-line RCMP officers.

The last mass killing of Canadian police took place in Mayerthorpe, Alberta in 2005, when a gunman killed four RCMP officers.

Reuters/AP