3 people found dead in Lloydminster were murdered, RCMP say
Police say there is no risk to public safety
The discovery of three people found dead in a Lloydminster home Wednesday is being investigated as a triple homicide.
At a news conference Thursday, Insp. Brian Nicholl, detachment commander of the Lloydminster RCMP, said the investigation began after police were called for a well-being check around 6 p.m. MT.
Officers discovered the bodies of three people inside.
Investigators continue to gather evidence at the scene, Nicholl said.
"There is no immediate concern for public safety. While I understand seeing more police presence can cause concern for folks, this is because we have people diligently working hard to solve this crime," he said.
"They are here to provide a swift resolution to these murders."
Nicholl declined to name the victims or provide any identifying details. But CBC News spoke with people familiar with the home, who say a father and his two adult sons lived there.
The killings appear to be targeted and isolated, Nicholl said, stressing that there is no risk to public safety.
He declined to comment on manner of death, a possible motive or any potential link between the victims.
"We believe this is a targeted incident — that somebody came to this location, or some people came to this location specifically," Nicholl said.
Autopsies will be conducted over the next two days, he said.
Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers acknowledged there is crime in the community, but a triple homicide is shocking.
"Lloydminster is not known for matters like this," Aalbers told CBC News.
"We have crime. I don't think anybody will deny that… But this is a totally different matter."
Nicholl and Aalbers each offered condolences to the family and friends of the victims.
"This is a profound loss of life for their family and for the wider community," Nicholl said.
The investigation is in its infancy, he said, urging anyone with information about the crime to contact investigators.
In a statement Thursday, RCMP said the Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit is leading the investigation.
In an advisory at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, RCMP said they were responding to an unfolding incident and advised of a heavy police presence in the city's core.
As of Thursday afternoon, investigators remained at the scene in the area of 50th Street and 47th Avenue, a few blocks east of the Alberta-Saskatchewan border that cuts through Lloydminster's downtown.
Yellow police tape surrounded a small green bungalow flanked by overgrown trees. Investigators have been seen carrying plastic totes out of the home's front door.
Officers wearing blue medical gloves, with their shoes covered in white disposable boots, walked through the homes front yard and searched the grass outside with metal detectors.
RCMP said Thursday that the police presence will remain around the house as "expert investigators" from Alberta and Saskatchewan work the case.
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With files from Julia Wong, Kory Siegers and Nicholas Frew