Police among four dead in Canada shooting

The attack in the eastern city of Fredericton is the latest in a spate of shootings

Emergency vehicles at the scene of the shooting in Fredericton, Canada, that left four dead. REUTERS

Four people, including two police officers, were killed Friday in a gun attack in the eastern Canadian city of Fredericton.

Police said that a suspect was in custody following the shooting in the capital of New Brunswick province and was being treated for "serious injuries".

City police confirmed the death of the officers in a Tweet as local media images showed emergency vehicles at a tree-lined residential street.

The Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, sent his condolences.

David MacCoubrey, who lives in Fredericton, told The Associated Press that he heard about 20 shots. "I'm on my floor," he said. "The cops have come through my place.

Mr MacCoubrey said his apartment complex has four buildings in a square, and it sounded like the shots came from the middle of the complex. "They have searched all the apartments in the building. It sounded like it started in the courtyard area," he said.

Nick Moore, a reporter for CTV Atlantic, posted footage from the scene on Twitter, and said four gunshots had been heard.

Gun laws in Canada are more strict than in the neighbouring United States but a proliferation of weapons has led to an increase in gun crimes in recent years.

The incident in Fredericton comes a little over a week after two people were killed and 15 injured when a man went on a shooting spree in Toronto, Canada's biggest city.

The shooter was identified as Faisal Hussain, 29. He was killed after an exchange of fire with police, who say they have yet to establish a motive.