Police on Friday released the names of three Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers killed by a lone gunman who led law enforcement on a 30-hour manhunt before surrendering, dpa reported. The killing of the three RCMP officers, often referred to as Mounties, shocked the small community of 70,000 residents in the eastern town of Moncton, where crime rates are so low that many people don't lock their doors. It also led to an outpouring of public support for the police. An impromptu memorial sprang up on the steps of the RCMP detachment in Moncton, with dozens of people stopping by to pay their respects. "This is a trying time for our members as we have lost three of our own and two more are hospitalized," New Brunswick RCMP Assistant Commissioner Roger Brown said. The officers were identified as David Ross, 32; Fabrice Georges Gevaudan, 45; and Douglas James Larche, 40. Two other officers who were injured, were recovering after undergoing surgery on Thursday, officials said. The Mounties were gunned down Wednesday evening while responding to a call about a heavily armed man dressed in camouflage. Police say Justin Bourque, the 24-year-old suspect, was a gun enthusiast who wanted to "go out with a bang and take people with him," local media reported Friday. Bourque was arrested by an elite RCMP tactical team at about 12:10 am (0310 GMT) after an all-day manhunt that paralysed the town of Moncton on Thursday, forcing the closure of government offices, schools, libraries and the zoo. The public had been told to stay indoors with the doors locked. -- SPA 21:01 LOCAL TIME 18:01 GMT تغريد
