A receptionist at a medical clinic in southwestern Newfoundland was shot dead Monday as was her estranged husband.
The shooting was a murder-suicide, says the community’s mayor and a relative.
“We’re a community of about 950 people and virtually everybody knows most of the people involved,” said Cape St. George Mayor Peter Fenwick.
“It’s a terrible shock to a small community like this.”
The RCMP said it responded to a shooting at the clinic just before
1 p.m.
The Mounties say a 49-year-old woman was killed and a 54-year-old man who was injured later died at the Sir Thomas Roddick Hospital in Stephenville
RCMP Sgt. Marc Coulombe said investigators are not looking for a suspect, but he wasn’t able to release any details of the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
But Fenwick and a neighbour and relative who did not wish to be identified said the deceased couple had two grown children, a son and daughter.
The woman had worked at the clinic near her home for years, said the neighbour who did not wish to be named.
The man previously worked at the nearby Lower Cove Mines, said the neighbour.
“They were friends of ours and we loved them both. They’re both gone now, and it shouldn’t have happened.
“I’m just devastated.”
Local MHA Tony Cornect, who represents the district of Port au Port, was born in De Grau.
“It’s a very sad day,” he said, expressing his condolences to the family.
Fenwick said the man had lived in the community for most of his life and had many relatives in the region.
“It’s almost like a death in the family.”
Police said the RCMP major crimes unit from Corner Brook is assisting with the investigation.
Meanwhile, Western Health has put out an advisory that the clinic in Lourdes will be closed until April 2 and the clinic in De Grau will be closed until further notice.
Patients with appointments will be rescheduled for a later date. Patients with medical emergencies are asked to go to Sir Thomas Roddick Hospital in Stephenville.
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