Canadian police have arrested one suspect after a “multiple fatality” shooting in Fredericton, New Brunswick. At least four people are reported dead, two of them police officers.

Police responded to the incident around 7.30 am, and arrested the suspect just over two hours later.

UDPATE: At this time we can confirm that we have one suspect in custody. Police continue to have the Brookside area contained for the foreseeable future as the investigation is ongoing.Please continue to avoid the area and follow us for the facts. — Fredericton Police (@CityFredPolice) August 10, 2018

The shootings took place on Brookside Drive, a leafy thoroughfare on the city's north side. Locals have been advised to avoid the area and remain indoors with their doors locked as a search continues.

Please continue to avoid the area of Brookside Drive between Main and Ring Road. An incident has resulted in at least four people killed. More information will be available when we can confirm. — Fredericton Police (@CityFredPolice) August 10, 2018

One resident told CBC News that he heard a series of shots ring out around 7 am. He described hearing “firecracker” sounds in the distance, then again closer to his house.

“It might've been a gunshot," he said. "It was sort of like a pop, pop, pop, pop."

CBC reported that police evacuated an apartment block near the man's house shortly after 9 am.

"I looked out the window and there were three police cars on the street just across from where I live," said another witness in the area. "I saw one cop just standing against the building … like he was waiting for somebody to come out."

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered his condolences via Twitter, and said that the government is "following the situation closely."

Awful news coming out of Fredericton. My heart goes out to everyone affected by this morning’s shooting. We’re following the situation closely. — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) August 10, 2018

Fredericton is the capital of the province of New Brunswick, and is home to just under 60,000 people.

Fredericton Police Force reporting multiple fatalities. No more information is available. pic.twitter.com/g4cch8cBLC — Nathalie Sturgeon (@nthlstrgn) August 10, 2018

Violent crime is relatively rare in Fredericton, which rarely makes lists of the country’s most violent cities.

In Moncton, the province’s largest city, a 24-year-old man shot five officers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 2014, killing three and severely injuring two. The attack was the worst attack on the RCMP in almost 10 years, and Moncton’s first homicide since 2010.

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