The RCMP say two shootings in Grand Falls-Windsor last week were incidents of intimate partner violence.
Superintendent Paul Peddle said the major crimes unit are involved in both cases but he is limited in what information he could share as the investigations are ongoing.
“These are shocking acts of violence and we know the community is on edge,” Peddle told reporters at a news conference on Tuesday in St. John’s.
He said they were separate, isolated incidents and there is no general risk to the public.
Peddle confirmed that in both cases the shooting victims were women.
He would not say if they responded to any calls of domestic disturbance, or any other calls recently to either of the residences involved in the deadly events.
Peddle encouraged people to reach out to the police if they are worried about intimate partner violence and said there are supports available, including for a mental health crisis.
People who have information about the two incidents should contact the RCMP, he added.
Peddle said the police treat intimate partner violence as a serious crime, adding officers deal with it “quite frequently” and police are just “one piece of the puzzle” to help victims, which includes community support and services.
Last Wednesday the RCMP announced it was investigating a shooting that took place in the central Newfoundland town that sent a woman to hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries. The woman is still in hospital in stable condition.
The vehicle used by the suspect was later discovered nearby on an unserviced road, and a deceased person was found near the vehicle. On Tuesday, Peddle said that death was not considered to be criminal in nature and a gun was found near the scene.
Just days later, in a separate incident, a woman was fatally shot in the community.
Badger resident Ivan Loder, 52, has been charged with murder following the death of Amanda Gilbert, a native of Botwood, at a home on Crescent Heights early Friday morning.
Loder is scheduled to make his next court appearance Wednesday.
The shootings have rocked the community, with people calling for more resources to be allocated to address the systemic problem of violence against women as well as calls for an increase of police resources to the area.
Peddle said staffing levels in Grand Falls-Windsor are “normal” and is “appropriately staffed.”
If you need help or are in immediate danger, call 911. To find assistance in your area, visit endingviolencecanada.org.
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