One man is dead and Saskatchewan RCMP say they are still searching for two armed men after an early morning shooting on Big Island Lake Cree Nation.
Larry Wahpistikwan told CBC News that his son, Neil, was the person who was shot and killed early Tuesday morning on the northwestern Saskatchewan First Nation, near the Alberta border.
“We came round dancing from Moon Lake and we were about to sleep when my brother called me and told me that my son got shot,” Wahpistikwan said. “They killed him.”
Wahpistikwan said Mounties at the scene attempted CPR, but were unable to save his son’s life. Others were also shot and taken to hospital, he said.
RCMP have confirmed one person died in a shooting on the First Nation and three others were injured. They have not confirmed the identities of any of the victims, or given details on the injuries to the three people who were hurt.
The two assailants, who were armed with a gun, were last seen riding an ATV, RCMP say.
During a Tuesday afternoon news conference, Saskatchewan RCMP Insp. Ashley St. Germaine said the shooting is believed to be an isolated incident, and resources from across the province have been pulled in to help find the two armed suspects.
“We are actively monitoring the situation,” St. Germaine said.
The community was placed under a lockdown after RCMP sent out a dangerous person alert just after 8 a.m. CT Tuesday. They advised people living in Big Island Lake, about 320 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon, to find a safe location and lock their doors.
That alert was lifted just before 5 p.m., with RCMP saying they no longer believe there is “an imminent risk to public safety.”
However, no arrests have yet been made, police said.
RCMP give update on Big Island Lake Cree Nation manhunt
Big Island Lake Cree Nation band manager Geoffrey Sandfly said the community is trying to support those who have been affected by the incident and has called for mental health support.
“We’re working with the families and taking care of them. Right now I have staff on standby to accommodate any families that are shocked or scared,” he said in a Tuesday afternoon interview.
But Sandfly said the First Nation doesn’t have adequate funding for safety and security.
“We need help from the government to fight our mental health epidemic that we have been facing,” he said.
Seven health-care facilities in the area were also put under lockdown as of 11 a.m. CT Tuesday, according to a statement from the Saskatchewan government.
“We are aware of the serious incident that occurred early this morning at Big Island Lake Cree Nation. Our thoughts are with the community and all those affected,” the statement said.
