Two shot, one dead, at celebration event for Quebec separatists

AP Photo/Paul Chiasson, The Canadian Press

Parti Quebecois Leader Pauline Marois is whisked off stage as she delivered her victory speech in Quebec, Tuesday Sept. 4, 2012. With the win, Marois becomes the first female premier in Quebec history. Police were not immediately able to provide details but party organizers informed the crowd that there had been an explosive noise and they needed to clear the auditorium. Police say one man was arrested and two people were injured.

MONTREAL (AP) — Police say a man fired a gun during a midnight victory rally for Quebec's new premier, killing one person and wounding another. The new premier, Pauline Marois of the separatist Parti Quebecois, was whisked off the stage and uninjured.

It was not clear if the gunman was trying to shoot Marois, whose party favors separation for the French-speaking province from Canada. Police identified the gunman only as a 50-year-old man. Police say he set a small fire behind the building before he was arrested.

Marois returned to the stage after the shooting and asked the crowd to peacefully disperse.

Police say they don't know the gunman's motive, but say the suspect, while being dragged toward the police cruiser, shouted in French, "The English are waking up!"

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Comments

memoryman's picture
verified

PQ win

Exciting to learn that the Parti Québecois has won control of the Parliament in QC. Unfortunate that a crazy got to disturb the victory celebration.

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