Man shot and killed by Bathurst police during investigation

A 51-year-old man was shot and killed by police inBathurston Monday and many questions are being asked about the circumstances leading to the incident.

The man from Tracadiewas fatallywounded at about 11:25 a.m., while police were "conducting an investigation," Bathurst police said in a statement.

It occurrednear the Via Rail station in the northern New Brunswick city.

The man wastransported to the Chaleur Regional Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, police said.

The name of the deceased is not being released until his family has been notified, but a woman who has identified herself as the man's partner, claims police shot the wrong man.

She, who did not want to give her name, told reportersthey got off a train from Montreal when a group of men approached their car shouting. She claims they did not know the men were police and in the confusion, their car hit an officer before shots were fired.

Bathurst police have not confirmed the woman's allegations.

Several police officers responded to the Via Rail stationin marked and unmarked vehicles, as well as a forensics van.

The road to the train station was blocked to all trafficand the surrounding area was cordoned off with yellow police caution tape.

Roger St-Onge lives just metres from the site.

"People around here heard three gunshots," he said. "It's shaky, you know, like things happen in a small place like this. Scary."

Ryan Ouelette says he saw more police activity.

"I seen, you know, several police officers trying to resuscitate somebody and I seen somebody else get arrested and taken away," he explained.

Late in the day Monday, Bathurst Police Force ChiefEugne Poitras, made a brief statement.

"On January 12th, 2015, police fatally wounded a 51 year-old male while conducting an investigation. The male suspect was brought to Chaleur Regional Hospital where he was later pronounced dead," he said.

H Division RCMP in Nova Scotia are now investigating.