Fredericton police have identified two police officers who were among four people killed in a shooting Friday in a residential area on the city’s north side.
Police Chief Leanne Fitch says the victims include Const. Robb Costello and Const. Sarah Burns and two civilians — a man and a woman — who remain unidentified.
Jackie McLean, Costello’s wife, says a police inspector told the family this morning that her common-law partner was among the dead.
McLean says the couple had been together for four years and Costello has two adult daughters from a previous relationship.
The shooting incident began at about 7 a.m. at an apartment complex on Brookside Drive.
Fredericton police have one person in custody who was being treated for serious injuries.
UDPATE: At this time we can confirm that we have one suspect in custody.
Police continue to have the Brookside area contained for the foreseeable future as the investigation is ongoing.
Please continue to avoid the area and follow us for the facts.
— Fredericton Police (@CityFredPolice) August 10, 2018
Earlier Friday morning, police were asking people in the area to stay inside with their doors locked, and not to post information on social media about the position or activities of police.
New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant tweeted his condolences to the victims and their families.
“During this difficult time, our thoughts are also with the courageous women and men on the front lines working to keep us safe,” said Gallant.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also tweeted about the tragedy: “Awful news coming out of Fredericton. My heart goes out to everyone affected by this morning’s shooting. We’re following the situation closely.”
Awful news coming out of Fredericton. My heart goes out to everyone affected by this morning’s shooting. We’re following the situation closely.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) August 10, 2018
A timeline of events (AT):
- 7:07 a.m. Local resident David MacCoubrey is awakened by the sound of three gunshots just outside his bedroom window, followed by 17 more gunshots over the next hour.
- 7:45 a.m. Nearby resident Travis Hrubeniuk hears a steady stream of police sirens along Brookside Drive.
- 7:47 a.m. Fredericton police send a tweet cautioning people to avoid the area around Brookside Drive due to an “ongoing incident.”
- 7:53 a.m. Police advise people living in the area to stay in their homes with doors locked.
- 8:17 a.m. Police tweet that there has been a shooting that caused “multiple fatalities.”
- 8:31 a.m. Police confirm that four people have been killed in the incident.
- 9:45 a.m. Police say they have one suspect in custody but continue to keep the area contained while the investigation continues.
- 9:49 a.m. New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant issues condolences to the victims and their families and urges residents to follow police instructions.
- 10:12 a.m. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sends a tweet saying his “heart goes out” to everyone affected by the shooting.
- 10:28 a.m. City police confirm that two of their officers are among those killed.
- 11:05 a.m. Police lift the lockdown on the area and say there is no further threat to the public.
- 11:22 a.m. Police tweet that the suspect is being treated for serious injuries related to the shooting.
READ MORE: What people saw and heard during Fredericton shooting
The Canadian Press
