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The RCMP offered few clues to how the search was ongoing during the news conference and implored citizens to not post any police movements on social media, as they assume the suspect may be monitoring.

Earlier Thursday, a loudspeaker could be heard saying “come out with your hands up” as police snipers, armoured vehicles and officers in tactical gear surrounded a rooming house on a normally busy commercial street.

Steps away from the building where RCMP units had converged Thursday afternoon, resident Danny Blanchard was vigilantly watching his backyard through a window, fearing the suspect might dash through it in an attempt to evade police.

“I know the minute I press 9-11, cops will be here right away because they’re so close,” he said.

Dozens of onlookers gathered around the commercial strip where a high concentration of armoured police vehicles around 2 p.m., Blanchard said.

“It’s driving me nuts,” he said. “You guys, there’s a crazy man with guns on the loose and you’re standing on the street. It’s frustrating.”

But by 3 p.m., the crowd had mostly dispersed as the police vehicles moved out of the area, another resident said from her house near the scene.

The gunman has been reportedly been spotted three times today but police have been unable to apprehend him. Police from a number of detachments commandeered armoured Brinks trucks to assist in the massive search for Bourque.

The New Brunswick city of about 70,000 is under virtual lockdown with schools, government buildings and many private businesses closed as heavily armed RCMP officers patrol the streets in the hunt for Bourque. Bourque was last seen near a wooded area in military camouflage, carrying two high-powered rifles with high capacity magazines, a bow and a knife.