Big Island Lake, Saskatchewan—Authorities have lifted a dangerous person alert after a shooting incident that left one person dead and three others injured. The alert was in effect for approximately ten hours as police searched for the suspects in the remote community.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced Tuesday afternoon that investigators believed the threat to public safety had subsided. “Residents can return to normal activity,” the RCMP stated, emphasizing that no arrests had yet been made and that the suspects remain at large.
The alert was first issued around 8:30 a.m. when police warned local residents of two armed individuals reportedly seen on an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) in the area. Big Island Cree Nation, located approximately 3.5 hours from Edmonton and four hours from Saskatoon, was the focal point of the search efforts.
Inspections of the scene were underway throughout the day as investigators worked to determine the nature of the shooting. Insp. Ashley St. Germaine of the RCMP shared that officers from the major crimes unit had arrived by 2 p.m. to assist with the investigation, which aims to ascertain whether the incident was random or targeted.
While initial details of the scene were sparse, first responders confirmed that one victim had died and three others sustained injuries. However, officials have not disclosed specifics regarding the conditions of the injured individuals.
Perry Lasas, head of security for the Big Island Lake community, stated that he received instructions from authorities to restrict access to and from the area. “I was told to lock down the reserve, so that’s what we’re doing right now,” he said, indicating that only medical personnel and law enforcement were allowed entry.
In addition to the local lockdown, seven healthcare facilities in the region were also secured as a precautionary measure. Lasas expressed concern that the ongoing situation felt more severe than previous lockdowns due to the significant police presence.
The RCMP continues to advise residents to remain vigilant and seek safe shelter indoors until further notice. With the alert now lifted, authorities are adjusting their focus to apprehend the suspects and ensure the community’s safety.