Camille Runke: Memorial service held for slain Winnipeg woman

A memorial was held Friday in Winnipeg for a woman who was gunned down in a St. Bonifacelast week.

CamilleRunkewas shot to death at a Marion Street business Oct. 30.Runkehad a protection order against 46-year-old KevinRunke, her estranged husband who shot himself to death after police tried to pull him over near St.Malo, Man., on Monday

KevinRunkeis a suspect inCamilleRunke's death, Winnipeg police said Tuesday.

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On Friday, Camille's family and friends held a memorial service for the slain 49-year-old woman.

"The church was filed with love, peace we could certainly feel her soul that was there with us," saidRoxanneKirouac, one of Camille's closest friends.

"She was saying, 'What are you guys crying about? I'm here living living in everybody's hearts."

KirouacsaidCamillewas an extraordinary person who was always there to support her friends and family.

"Her family was a true love for her,"Kirouacsaid. "I've never seen anything other than her expressing anything other than that; just nothing but love."

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Several former neighbours have spoken out since Camille's death claiming she had been "terrorized" by her ex over the last few months.

Camillecalled police on 22 separate occasions over concerns about her husband's behaviour. Based on a recommendation from police, she set up surveillance cameras outside the condo where sheand Kevin Runke once lived.

Bob Bertrand, Kevin Runke's former boss, said he was a model employee that everyone enjoyed working with. However, after his relationship with Camille ended, Kevin eventually stopped showing up to work and was let go, Bertrand added.

Karen Busby, a University of Manitoba law professor, told CBC News that police should've done more to keep Kevin Runkein custody before Camille's death.But, she added, the criminal justice system can only do so much to protectthose who are in danger.

"The best laws aren't going to keep women safe," Busby said Tuesday."If men are willing to shoot them in broad daylightthere isn't a criminal justice system in the world that can stop them from doing that."

A spokesperson for the Winnipeg Police Service said officers did everything that they could reasonably do to help Camille.