MONTREAL, Que. – A celebration of the Parti Quebecois’ return to power was shattered Tuesday — first by a political disappointment, then by a stunning tragedy.

The party won a minority government with a weaker-than-desired result, of 54 seats won out of 125, that could severely limit its ability to pursue its independence agenda.

A victory speech by premier-in-waiting Pauline Marois was then marred by an exceptionally ugly scene: she was whisked off the stage by guards during an attack in which two people were shot, one was killed, and a fire was set behind the hall where she spoke.

The shooting happened at around 11 p.m. Wednesday at the PQ’s election celebration at the Metropolis in Montreal. The 62-year-old suspect fled the building and then threw a molotov cocktail at the rear exit.

Police arrested him outside the building, but have not revealed his name. There are reports that at the time of the shooting, he was wearing a blue bathrobe with a balaclava pulled over his face and glasses. Both victims were shot outside, with one of them being dragged back inside the club and locking the suspect out.  

The middle-aged suspect, while being dragged toward the police cruiser, shouted in French, “The English are waking up!” Police have not yet revealed his name and as of Wednesday afternoon, he had not been charged.

Police also said the second shooting victim – a 27-year-old, who was taken to hospital in critical condition, was no longer in danger and is expected to survive.

Montreal police Cmdr. Ian Lafreniere said police continue to scour the area, Wednesday, for any additional incendiary devices.

He added that four or five families in the vicinity had been cleared from the area for safety reasons. He said detectives have met with about 15 witnesses so far as the investigation continues. Televised images showed a long gun being confiscated.

“Our investigators are also combing the social networks right now and what we’re looking into is threats that might have been made before or after,” an officer said.

“I want people to very careful and I want to warn people because anybody that might be putting quotes on there or posting messages that could interpreted as a threat or could be threatening,” the officer added. “We’re taking this very seriously. These people will be tracked down and they will be charged, regardless of the intent behind the message, whether it was a bad joke.

On Wednesday morning, the suspect was taken to hospital. He is said to be in stable condition, but there is no word on why the visit was made.

Meanwhile, around noon, the body of the 48-year-old male victim was carried out of Metropolis on a gurney, after which authorities lifted it into a van.

According to reports, the victim was a sound technician working at the club Tuesday evening. Police have confirmed the man’s name but not his employer.