Quebec election: Two shot, one killed at Pauline Marois’ PQ victory party [video included]

Police cordon off the area outside the auditorium where a gunman shot and killed at least one person during the PQ victory rally Wednesday. — THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

National Post

by Nelson Wyatt
Canadian Press
September 5, 2012

MONTREAL — Parti Québécois leader Pauline Marois was abruptly dragged off stage by bodyguards midway through her victory speech Tuesday after a 62-year-old man wearing a blue robe and a balaclava allegedly opened fire into the theatre where she was speaking.

“The English are waking up,” the ranting suspect declared as police took him away.

The shooting left one victim dead and a second in critical condition. Because of the possibility that Marois herself may have been the target of the shooting, the Quebec Provincial Police have taken control of the investigation.

“What’s going on?” an obviously concerned Marois said to one of her provincial police bodyguards as he plucked her by the elbow from her moment of triumph and whisked her from the stage at her victory rally in a bubble of burly plainclothes cops.

The premier-elect cast searching glances over her shoulder as she was moved quickly away, with a climate of confusion sweeping over the room.

It was only when audience members left that they learned what had happened: the acrimony of debate in the province in the last few years had been ratcheted up another chilling notch and charged into their midst.

Nothing serious had happened, PQ spokesmen had told the rally. A noisemaker had been set off. Nothing serious. Then the tone changed. It became more urgent that people leave the room. They were urged to do so calmly.

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