Yukon premier says shooting in town of Faro left 'multiple victims'

Yukon Premier Sandy Silver says there are multiple victims after RCMP responded to reports of an active shooter in the town of Faro Tuesday afternoon, but there is no longer a safety threat to the community.

In a statement Tuesday evening, Sandy Silver said police arrested a suspect. It was not immediately clear if anyone died.

"At this time we know there are multiple victims," the premier's statement said.

"This is truly a tragic situation. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims."

In a news release, RCMP said they responded to reports of shots fired just after noon. An emergency alert went out to residents advising them to shelter in place, but that order was rescinded shortly after.

The premier's office could not be reached for comment. 

Faro is a town of about 400 people, roughly 350 kilometres northeast of Whitehorse.

The town's mayor, Leonard Faber, told CBC that there are unconfirmed reports of injuries.

'It's a pretty sad day,' says mayor

"We can confirm that there was an active shooting here in the community. We have verbal reports of multiple injuries," Faber said.

"People were driving around telling everybody to go in their houses. I myself, I'm numb with this. I never thought I'd experience this in the town of Faro in my life.

"We all know everybody in town, and it's a pretty sad day no matter what happens or what has happened."

The incoming mayor of Faro, Jack Bowers, said a call about shots fired came in a little after noon and the town immediately went into lockdown.

Bowers was due to be sworn into office on Tuesday evening, but that's now been postponed. He told CBC that he saw three ambulances in the community, responding to the incident.

Inspector Rob Nason with the Yukon RCMP declined to comment on the shooting, but said police from outside the community are joining the investigation.