A quiet Thursday morning in downtown Moncton turned chaotic when gunfire erupted between police and an armed youth. If you live or work in the area, you likely heard the sirens and saw the heavy police presence.

According to CBC News, Codiac Regional RCMP responded to reports of gunshots near St. George Street at 8:08 a.m. Officers located a youth with a firearm in a parking lot near Victoria and Lutz streets. The youth fired at the officers. Police returned fire.

The suspect fled the immediate area but police arrested him nearby. Emergency responders took the youth to the hospital for assessment. No officers or bystanders suffered injuries during the exchange.

Watchdog Agency Steps In

The Serious Incident Response Team is now investigating the shooting. This independent agency takes over when police actions result in serious injury, death or other major incidents.

SIRT spokesperson Khalehla Perrault Russell confirmed police bullets did not hit the youth. Authorities have not released the suspect’s age.

Codiac RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Luc Picard stated the Mounties referred the matter to SIRT for an independent investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding this incident. Picard also confirmed there is no further risk to the public.

Community Reacts to the Chaos

The shootout happened close to local businesses, apartment buildings, daycares and a school.

Nearby resident Jessy Wallace woke up to the sound of gunfire. He looked out his window and watched the incident unfold in the parking lot behind Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral. Wallace recorded a video showing officers approaching a person crouched near a vehicle with a broken window. A handgun sat on the ground beside another vehicle riddled with bullet holes.

Wallace watched the suspect run north along the cathedral before police stopped him near St. George Street. He told reporters he watched police drag the suspect back, cuff him and put him in a police vehicle.

Another resident, Roger Cormier, heard the shooting and recorded part of the chase. He expressed his shock to reporters, noting how wild and close to home the event felt.

The incident also prompted a brief lockdown at Edith Cavell School. Anglophone East School District spokesperson Stephanie Patterson confirmed the school locked down for about 30 minutes Thursday morning. No other schools faced disruptions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was anyone injured in the Moncton shooting?

No officers or members of the public suffered injuries. Police took the youth suspect to the hospital for a medical assessment.

Did police shoot the suspect?

No. The Serious Incident Response Team confirmed that none of the shots fired by police hit the youth.

Is there an ongoing threat to the public?

RCMP officials confirmed there is no further risk to the public following the arrest.

Why is the Serious Incident Response Team involved?

SIRT investigates incidents where the actions of a police officer involve a discharge of a firearm, serious injury, death or other significant matters to ensure an independent review.