‘Friendly and polite Scot’ is named as gunman at Quebec rally

By CHRIS MARSHALL
Published on 06/09/2012 18:46

A MAN who opened fire during a political rally in Canada is a kilt-wearing “Scot” whose rifle jammed after he shot his second victim.

Richard Henry Bain, wearing a blue dressing gown and black face mask, was arrested after he opened fire outside a victory rally for Quebec’s new prime minister in a Montreal theatre on Tuesday night, killing one person and wounding another.

Reports in Canada said Bain, 62, left Montreal two years ago to set up a fishing camp in mountains north of the city. He was described as a “friendly Scottish guy”.

Hours before the shooting, it is understood he was sent a letter telling him his request for an ice-fishing licence at his lodge had been put off.

Neighbours spoke of their shock that the man they knew as “Rick” or “Scottish”, and who once posed for a picture beside Canadian singer Celine Dion, could be linked to the incident.

Last night, it was reported that he was to be charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder and arson.

It also became clear many more people might have been killed had his assault rifle not jammed after the second victim was shot.

Police confirmed they had arrested a man in connection with the shooting. The suspect shouted about an awakening of English-speaking Quebecers as he was led away.

A hospital statement said a man in police custody was

undergoing an evaluation.

According to a Facebook page, Richard Henry Bain runs a riverside camp near Mont-Tremblant in Quebec. A website for the business was taken down on Wednesday.

Bain was said to have been in constant contact with officials at the local municipality, La Conception, over the past several months as he tried to expand his business, according to the village manager. He had applied to add licences for hunting and ice fishing at the lodge, Marie-France Brisson said.

Bain apparently received a letter hours before Tuesday’s shooting informing him further study would be needed of the local environment before he could be granted an ice-fishing licence.

Describing Bain, Ms Brisson said: “He was a man that was calm and polite who could also be frank. He could sometimes be frustrated [with the bureaucratic process].”

Marc-Andre Cyr, the owner of a camp near Bain’s base, said he was friendly and never showed any anger toward French-speaking Quebecers.

Mr Cyr said they occasionally had a beer together and always spoke French. “He’s someone I would meet from time to time,” he said. “We never talked politics.”

He said he had met Bain just over a year ago and that the man was new to the region. Bain joined the local chamber of commerce about a year ago.

Police sources say he had relocated from Montreal.

Dominic Bouffard, who works for the local newspaper, said Bain was a successful businessman who occasionally took out adverts to promote his lodge. Mr Bouffard said he tried hard to network with local politicians and business leaders.

“He did everything he could to meet people in the municipality, in the [Mont-Tremblant area], and everywhere,” Mr Bouffard said.

It is still unclear whether the gunman had been attempting to target Quebec’s new premier, Pauline Marois, of the separatist Parti Québécois.

Lighting technician Denis Blanchette, 48, has been named as the man killed when he was hit by a bullet outside the venue where the rally was taking place.