Gunman kills one in Quebec shooting

  • 12 years ago
Quebec's premier was rushed out of a Montreal theatre half way through her victory speech when a gunman shot at the crowd, killing one and injuring another seriously.

Police subdued the 50-year-old suspect who had entered through the back way with a handgun and a rifle.

He is also suspected of starting a fire in the building

The new PM, Pauline Marois, was announcing her party's narrow, minority government victory in provincial elections early Wednesday morning when her bodyguards whisked her off the stage to safety.

Marois, who leads the separatist Parti Quebecois, later returned to finish her address.

Political violence is virtually unheard of in Canada, but tensions in the province are running high due to Marois' plan to strengthen French language laws, worrying Anglophone and minority groups.

One man in his 40s died immediately, while the other victim is still in hospital.

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