In wake of shooting, Fredericton hospital asks public to avoid ER

With a heavy police presence at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital in Fredericton on Friday, Horizon Health asked the public to stay away from the emergency room unless necessary.

Police and civilians began gathering on the sidewalk outside the hospital soon after four people, including two officers, were shot and killed on the city's north side.

Members of the crowd, includingRCMP, waited for Fredericton Chief Leanne Fitch, whoarrived to talk to them late in the afternoon. She was on her way back from Halifax when the shooting happened.

Fitch was saluted as she drove into the parking lot, and officers gathered around her as she spoke. She asked themto stay together and support each other, and said that no matter how difficult it is, they should reach out to someone in the community if they need help.

After she spoke, many could be seen hugging each other, patting each other's backs and wiping away tears.

Earlier in the day, Chalmers hospital confirmed that emergency room staff were treating the malesuspect for serious injuries after he was taken into police custody.

Police said he's a 48-year-old resident of Fredericton.

The hospital,on the other side of the St. John River from the shooting scene, said it was put on high alert soon after the shots were fired in the Brookside Drive area.

The two Fredericton police officers killed wereRobb Costello, 45, who had been with the force 20 years, and Sara Burns, 43, a member of the force for two years. Costello leaves behind a partner and four children and Burns leaves behind a husband and three children.

The names of the two civilians killed have not been released. Police confirmed they werea man and a woman andwere found dead outside an apartment building.

Multiple shooting victims were taken tohospital,Horizon said in a tweet, but the health network did not say how many or reveal their conditions. Police did not reveal any further information at a news conference.