WATCH ABOVE: The Moncton man accused of killing three RCMP officers was sent for a psychological assessment on Thursday. Shelley Steeves reports
About two days before a shooting rampage in Moncton left three RCMP officers dead and two wounded, the alleged gunman was “ranting and raging” against authority, according to his father.
In an affidavit filed with the provincial court in Moncton Thursday, Victor Bourque said his son Justin was behaving in a way he “can only describe as paranoia” leading up to the events of June 4.
Justin Bourque, 24, is facing three charges of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder in connection with the shootings.
READ MORE: Who is Justin Bourque, suspect in Moncton shooting?
Victor Bourque filed the affidavit in support of a request by defence lawyer David Lutz to have his son undergo a psychiatric assessment.
In it, he said the family did not notice any serious mental or emotional problems with Justin until December 2012, when his parents asked him to leave their home after “inappropriate behaviour” and the purchase of “yet another” gun.
Since then, Victor Bourque said he noticed his son dealing with depression and financial difficulties. He said during visits home, Justin would pace back and forth while “talking about things that made no sense to me or other members of the family.”
A month before the shootings, he “noticed Justin’s emotional and mental state was deteriorating even further.”
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Around 5 p.m. on the day of the shootings, Victor Bourque said he saw Justin, who told his father he was heading to work. After he found out that wasn’t the case, he called his son to ask why he had lied, and said Justin hung up on him.
“He was distant and disrespectful to me… He had never spoken to me in this fashion before,” the affidavit said. “His tone was very dry and as if it was another person speaking.”
Justin Bourque will return to court July 31 after the psychiatric assessment, when a judge will determine whether he is fit to stand trial.
Victor Bourque said in the document he is prepared to testify if necessary.
With files from the Canadian Press
Read the affidavit filed by Victor Bourque below:
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