Alleged Fredericton shooter had gun legally
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.”
Gaudet added that the bodycamera evidence was downloaded and provided to the RCMP as part of its homicide investigation.
Fitch also confirmed that police officers in Fredericton are equipped with body armour and carbine rifles.
Robichaud’s wife, Melissa Robichaud, told reporters that her husband, from whom she was separated, had previously been a member of the Bacchus motorcycle club but left the club about a year ago.
“We are aware of that information that has been shared publicly as well,” Fitch said. “At this time, we are just working through the investigative process. Again we’re not going to speculate on any connections or motives there.”
Nancy Slade, home for a visit from Petawawa, Ont., came to lay sunflowers outside police headquarters with her six-year-old daughter, Molly, and three-yearold son, Dane.
Slade, the daughter of a Fredericton police officer who was a friend of Costello, said she wants her kids to understand the sacrifice made by officers.
“It’s just not supposed to happen here,” she said, her voice catching. “It’s never happened here, so it’s just really hard.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his son, Hadrien, went Sunday to police headquarters to lay flowers at the memorial and offer words of solidarity.
At Fredericton city hall on Monday, a steady trickle of visitors arrived to sign books of condolences for the fallen police constables.
Many left in tears after seeing the simple display, which featured photos of the officers set next to two candles and a bouquet of white flowers.
Jane Abernathy, who lives in Fredericton, said she felt compelled to show her respect.
“Such a senseless tragedy, we never want this to happen again,” she said.
A public event planned for Monday evening, Hands and Hearts Across the City, asked residents to meet and join hands on the walking bridge spanning the St. John River as a tribute to the victims. Thousands turned out.
Raymond is set to appear in court on Aug. 27.
A Fredericton business owner who knew Raymond described him as a “lonely person” who spent much of his time cycling and playing first-person shooter video games.
Brendan Doyle, the former owner of the recently closed Read’s Newsstand & Cafe in Fredericton, said he also asked Raymond to stop frequenting his coffee shop after he allegedly expressed Islamophobic views and shared his dislike for Syrian refugees with patrons.