Man charged in killings had gun licence, say police
Shooting left 2 civilians, 2 police officers dead
FREDERICTON — A New Brunswick man charged with killing four people in one of the deadliest shootings in the province’s history had a firearms licence and allegedly used a gun that can be legally obtained in Canada, police said Monday as they urged the public to be patient during the ongoing investigation.
Matthew Vincent Raymond, 48, was charged with four counts of first-degree murder after a shooting Friday at a Fredericton apartment complex that left two civilians and two police officers dead.
Police said the long gun investigators believe was used in the attack is commonly available for purchase, and is not a prohibited or restricted weapon.
“It’s a firearm that can be purchased here in Canada and the suspect does have a licence,” Deputy Chief Martin Gaudet told reporters at a news conference outside the Fredericton Police Department, where a memorial with flowers, cards and teddy bears has been set up.
“It’s a shouldered weapon — a long gun.”
Residents of the New Brunswick capital appeared emotional Monday as they dropped off items at the memorial and signed a book of condolences at city hall.
The shooting deaths of four people — Bobbie Lee Wright, Donnie Robichaud, and responding officers Const. Robb Costello and Const. Sara Burns — has deeply shaken this usually placid city.
Chief Leanne Fitch acknowledged that people want answers about what happened, but she stressed that the police investigation is “very much active and is focused on finding facts.”
“I understand that there is a desire to find out what happened. We all want to know that,” Fitch said. “But you have to understand that some of that will only be released through the court process.”
Fitch did confirm, however, that one of the officers who responded to the shooting on the city’s north side was wearing a camera, although she wouldn’t say which one.
“One of our officers was wearing a body-worn video at the time of the call,” she said. “There was a body cam video, and that is part of the evidence that our investigators are looking at.”