Trudeau visits victims’ families

MONTREAL: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met on Sunday with the families of victims of a fatal shooting in eastern Canada — but said “now is not the time” to discuss gun control.

Matthew Vincent Raymond, 48, opened fire in the sleepy city of Fredericton, New Brunswick, early on Friday, killing four people, including two police officers.

Mr Trudeau met the families privately, and laid a wreath at a makeshift memorial in front of the city’s police headquarters.

“This is a moment to remember the two brave officers who fell in the line of duty and the other two victims and all of their families and the communities that are pulling together,” he said.

“Obviously, reflecting on this loss, but resilience comes from leaning on each other and being there for each other.”

Mr Raymond, who was hospitalised for his injuries, was charged with four premeditated homicides, though police did not provide details of his motives.

The incident sparked panic in the city as Canada grapples with rising gun violence, with some calling for a handgun ban.

When questioned on gun control, Mr Trudeau said there would be “time to reflect on what we need to be doing to ensure the safety of citizens and their communities”.

But he added: “Now is not the time to be talking about that.”