A manhunt is in progress in Moncton City, Canada. A shootout between the camouflaged suspect, Justin Bourque, 24, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on Thursday left three officers dead and another two wounded. Damien Theriault, Mounted Police Constable, stated that local authorities are now scouring the city to find the suspect who was last seen carrying two rifles before firing on Moncton police.
An eyewitness, local Moncton resident, Danny Leblanc, 42, informed the Associated Press that he saw the shooter, wearing the camouflage outfit, Wednesday night standing in the middle of the road and aiming his gun at the patrol cars.
Motive for the shooting is yet to be revealed.
"I lost three friends," Theriault told CBC. "And now we need to pull together and locate this individual as quickly as possible to ensure everyone's safety. We are professionals and we have a job to do right now. We will have time to grieve after." Moncton police has released on Twitter a photo of the suspect, whom they believe is hiding in a wooded area of the city. No other details about the suspect have been released.
Theriault warns the people of Moncton to stay indoors for the duration of the manhunt as the investigators believe that Bourque is "armed and dangerous". Police tweets, referring to the citywide lockdown, state, "If you live in the marked area, stay inside/lock doors. Roads blocked. Traffic disrupted. Avoid area."
All primary arterial roads and highways leading in and out of the city have been closed. Moncton police also confiscated rental vehicles at the airport so every officer can search street by street. Canine units have been deployed, and helicopters are seen in the air.
Moncton City Mayor, George Leblanc, asks the people not to go outdoors as he expresses his condolences to the slain officers' families and friends, "This is a very trying evening in our community, please remain calm but vigilant." Mayor Leblanc also states on his Facebook account, "I am confident that the RCMP will soon restore peace and order."
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