Police are searching for a man who allegedly robbed Gallant Enterprise in Edmundston and shot an employee early Monday morning.

The recycling centre worker lost part of an ear and suffered a facial burn, a company representative told Radio-Canada.

Edmundston Police Force Insp. Steve Robinson said the employee was wounded with a pellet gun.

He said the man also stole a company vehicle, which he crashed near the Trans-Canada Highway before fleeing on foot.

"The suspect is still wanted and he would very likely still be armed," police said in a news release.

Robinson said police aren't concerned about the public's safety in this case and believe the man has left the area. However, precautionary measures were taken at two nearby schools.

Classes went on normally at École Saint-Jacques and the Carrefour de la Jeunesse, but no one was allowed to enter or leave these buildings until the end of the day.

Who is the suspect?

Police said the suspect is an English-speaking man in his 30s, white and about six feet tall, with an athletic build.

He has a dark complexion, short hair and a mustache. He also has tattoos on his neck and a possible chin injury.

"The suspect would also have a strong smell of gasoline," the release said, noting the suspect was caught stealing gasoline.

The robber fired a pellet gun at an employee before stealing a company van and driving away. (Kassandra Nadeau/Radio-Canada)

Robinson told Radio-Canada the suspect broke into the business shortly after midnight and was surprised by an employee arriving at the scene.

"There was a little altercation that occurred," he said, speaking French. "Then the suspect fired at the employee, wounding him. These are minor injuries to the employee, who has already been treated at the hospital [and has] been discharge."

A company in shock

James Gallant, vice-president of Gallant Enterprise, clarified the condition of the employee.

"He has rifle powder burns on his face and a piece of ear that is gone," Gallant told Radio-Canada in French.

"He was still fine, but … he will remain a little marked, that's for sure. … I hope he's doing well. I'm glad they're not serious injuries and I'm glad he's alive, but it's really not pleasant to see your employees with trouble like this morning.

The incident has left staff shaken and some were reluctant to come in Monday morning, but they all eventually did, he said.

"Everyone is working right away," he said. "Things are going well. We are a company that stands."