Civilian killed in Fredericton shooting identified as musician and father

FREDERICTON — A family member has identified one of the civilian victims of Friday’s shooting in Fredericton as a 42-year-old father of three, as police revealed the person in custody is still being treated in hospital.

Donnie Robichaud was a loving parent who played bass and sang in a few local bands, according to his cousin, Sean Callahan.

The three others killed in the violence were Const. Robb Costello, a father of four, Const. Sara Burns, who was married with three children, and a woman whose identity has not yet been publicly confirmed.

Robichaud worked in autobody shops, enjoyed riding his Harley-Davidson and was the kind of man who was always there to lend a hand, Callahan said on Saturday morning.

“The guy was so likable, like I don’t think he had anybody that hated him, and Donnie, if he even hated you, he’d still give you the shirt off his back — he would help you out,” he said.

Police said Friday that a 48-year-old Fredericton man was in custody and being treated for serious injuries. RCMP spokesman Paul Greene said that man was the only person receiving treatment in hospital.

Across Canada, many police forces have lowered their flags to half-mast.

“Just after I tucked my son in bed tonight, and reflected on the day, it was with chagrin that I realized that at least seven children in Fredericton tonight would not have the same luxury. To the children of Sara Burns and Robb Costello, I wish you peace and comfort this night,” Halifax police chief Jean-Michel Blais tweeted on Friday.

That number has now climbed to at least 10 children who lost a parent.

As of Saturday morning, the area remained cordoned off and a mobile police command post was on scene.

An officer said it was unclear how long the probe would take, and police have asked anyone who captured photos or video of the incident to come forward.

Fredericton police said Friday night that the city and Red Cross had found lodging for 50 residents unable to return to their homes on Brookside Drive on the city’s north side.

Deputy police chief Martin Gaudet said Friday the two officers responded to reports of a shooting in an apartment complex at about 7:10 a.m. and found two victims on the ground, a man and woman.

“That’s when they (the officers) were shot,” he said during a news conference.

“There were many officers in and around the building at that time, so when the call came in shots fired, officers jumped in a cruiser and attended the scene. They were the initial officers on scene.”

Costello, 45, was a 20-year police veteran, while Burns, 43, had been an officer for two years, and an auxiliary officer prior to that.

The Canadian Press