Suspect in deadly Moncton RCMP shootings found fit to stand trial

MONCTON, N.B. – A New Brunswick man charged with fatally shooting three RCMP officers and wounding two others last month in Moncton has been found fit to stand trial.

Justin Bourque, who faces three charges of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder, underwent a psychiatric assessment that concluded Bourque is competent and mentally fit for trial.

Provincial court Judge Irwin Lampert read the assessment's conclusions into the court record Thursday but kept the document sealed at the request of the defence, who argued it would hamper his ability to receive a fair trial if the rest of its contents were released.

Bourque, 24, also elected to be tried by judge and jury before the Court of Queen's Bench, where his case will return on Aug. 8.

Constables Dave Ross, Fabrice Gevaudan and Douglas Larche were gunned down after responding to a report of a man with firearms in a residential neighbourhood in the northwest area of Moncton on June 4.

Constables Eric Dubois and Darlene Goguen were wounded and later released from hospital.

Following a manhunt that spanned 30 hours and brought the city of 69,000 to a virtual standstill, Bourque was arrested.