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Trudeau meets with shooting victims’ families
MONTREAL, Aug 13, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met 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 Friday, killing four people, including two
police officers.
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 remembering that resilience comes
from leaning on each other and being there for each other.”
Raymond, who was injured and hospitalized, 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, 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.”
BSS/AFP/MSY/0839 hrs