Bathurst shooting victim remembered as beloved businessman

CTV Atlantic: Condolences pour in for N.B. man N.S. RCMP are asking for patience as they investigate the police shooting in Bathurst, N.B. that left a well-known businessman dead.

People in a northeastern New Brunswick community are mourning a well-known businessman shot and killed in Bathurst on Monday.

RCMP confirmed on Wednesday that the man killed by police at the Bathurst Via Rail station was 51-year-old Michel Vienneau.

Vienneau owned an electronics shop in Tracadie-Sheila, N.B.

On Wednesday the shop remained closed, with a note to customers saying it will re-open when it’s deemed possible.

Anne-Marie Brideau owns a music store directly across from where Vienneau had his shop for nearly 20 years.

Brideau, who has been there for 23 years, said Vienneau was quite popular in the mall.

“Because who takes the time to leave your store and come to talk?” she said.

Vienneau was a gentleman to everybody, she said.

“I love Michel, the way he smiled, the way he never talk about anybody around,” she said.

“He loved his mom so much and I just lost mine, so maybe it’s the reason we became close.”

Brideau said Vienneau wanted to take his girlfriend on her very first train trip to see a Montreal Canadiens game.

There are reports that, prior to the shooting, Vienneau and his partner had just gotten off the train when they were approached by police officers in plain clothes.

Nova Scotia RCMP, who have been given the task of investigating the police shooting, have confirmed little about the incident at this point.

Police tape still remains up at the train station where Vienneau was shot. Police said they planned to take it down sometime Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, community members are keenly interested in the ongoing investigation.

“Somebody has got to answer questions about that. Everybody around here, lots of stories are out,” said one resident.

Police say they understand the wide public interest in this investigation.

“Full investigations take time. They want to know exactly what happened, so do we, so at this time our members are out there and talking to people,” said RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Alain LeBlanc.

A funeral for Vienneau has been scheduled for Saturday.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Nick Moore