Manhunt continues for gunman after three RCMP officers are killed in Moncton

MONCTON, NB (NEWS1130) – The RCMP has not been able to confirm possible sightings this morning of the man believed to have killed three Mounties and shot two others in Moncton, New Brunswick.

The shootings happened last night.

The RCMP said on Twitter that they were looking for 24-year-old Justin Bourque of Moncton. The police force tweeted an image of the suspect, who was wearing military fatigues and carrying two assault rifles at the time of the shootings. The RCMP says he’s not known to police. He’s 24 and police have been gathering information about him from family.

A video of a family witnessing one of the shootings was posted on a Facebook page belonging to someone named Vanessa Bernatchez. WARNING: Violent video with explicit language below.

Police spokesman Paul Greene confirmed yesterday that two officers died and said two other officers were taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

Today, police confirmed that one of the injured officers has been released from hospital.

“It has been perhaps the darkest day in the history of the New Brunswick RCMP,” RCMP Commanding Officer Roger Brown said at a conference on Thursday. “This is like working through your worst nightmare.”

“This is a difficult time for Moncton and for Codiac as a family.” Codiac Supt. Marlene Snowman added, holding back tears.

Mayor George LeBlanc was visibly shaken by what has happened in his normally quiet city. He says “never in my darkest dreams did I ever think that we would be facing what we’re facing today in Moncton.”

Police are urging people in the Pinehurst area, where the shootings happened, to stay inside their homes and lock their doors until further notice. Drivers were also asked to stay out of the area.

The RCMP released its first update on the shooting at about 6:15 p.m. on Twitter. It confirmed the deaths of the three officers at 11 p.m. via Twitter.

 

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 Gallacher, 35. “I went to check but she hadn’t dropped anything. Then I heard the news and realized what it actually was.”

Prime Minister Stephen Harper tweeted out a statement this morning.  

The Horizon Health Network, the province’s largest health authority, said on its Twitter feed that two patients were taken to the Moncton Hospital with gunshot wounds.

“TMH is restricting visitors to those with critically ill family members. All others are asked to refrain from visiting at this time,” the health board said in a subsequent tweet.

Federal Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney also sent a tweet in regards to the situation.

 

Theriault said the search for the suspect was concentrated in the area of Ryan Street and Hildegarde Road.

His voicemail later said that the RCMP was searching for the suspect in the area of the Moncton Coliseum.

Anyone wishing to offer condolences for the fallen RCMP officers can send them via email: Condolences_Condoleances@rcmp-grc.gc.ca