Chaisson sent witness away before shooting wife: RCMP

Police are describing how Luke Chaisson killed his estranged wife, Stephanie Chaisson, in western Newfoundland Monday.

"Mr. Chaisson managed to enter the clinic with a rifle where he told a witness to leave. As the witness left the clinic shots were heard," according to an RCMP statement releasedThursday. "A co-worker of Mrs. Chaisson who was in the clinic, heard the shots, saw the victim on the floor and managed to escape the clinic to get help."

On March 26, 2012 at about 1:00 p.m. Bay St. George RCMP responded to the shooting at the De Grau Medical Clinic, on the Port au Port Peninsula.

When they arrived they found Stephanie Chaisson, 49, dead. Police said Luke Chaisson, 54, was found alive and suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to the Sir Thomas Roddick Hospital in Stephenville where he died.

The chief medical examiner performed autopsies on March 28.

Stephanie Chaisson died as the result of two gunshot wounds. Luke Chaisson died as a result of the self-inflicted gunshot.

The firearm used in this incident was a Lee Enfield .303 British, which was not registered. The RCMP is trying to determine its origin.

Chaisson history

On Jan. 2, Bay St. George RCMP began an investigation into allegations that Luke Chaisson was harassing Stephanie Chaisson.

Luke Chaisson was arrested the next day and released to appear in court on April 2. He had been released on conditions of not contacting Stephanie Chaisson.

Police said they are not aware of any breaches of conditions before March 26.