1 dead, 2 injured after Saturday shooting in Fort Providence, N.W.T.
No arrests made yet in connection to shooting as of 2:30 p.m. Saturday, RCMP say
Police have not yet arrested anyone in connection to a Saturday morning shooting in Fort Providence, N.W.T., that killed one person and injured two others, according to RCMP.
Mounties were called to a residence where the shooting was reported around 12:45 a.m. At the scene, responding officers found one person dead and two others whose injuries needed medical care, RCMP said in a news release issued Saturday afternoon.
As of 2:30 p.m. Saturday, no suspects have been arrested, the release said, adding that police believe the shooting was an "isolated incident that does not pose a risk to the general public."
The N.W.T. RCMP major crimes unit will be helping with the investigation. Staff with the agency's forensic identification services are also in Fort Providence to help, the news release said.
Dehcho MLA Sheryl Yakeleya, who lives in Fort Providence, a hamlet about 210 kilometres southwest of Yellowknife, confirmed to CBC Saturday morning that one person died and two other people are injured as a result of the shooting.
The community is not on lockdown, N.W.T. RCMP spokesperson Const. Josh Seaward told CBC News. But Yakeleya said she had spoken with local leaders, who asked community members to stay inside if possible and lock their doors, and for businesses to remain closed until the incident is resolved.
She added that those measures are being jointly implemented by the hamlet, Deh Gáh Got'îê First Nation, and the Fort Providence Métis Council.
Yakeleya said she was also working with the territorial government to get trauma counsellors to the community for those affected by the shooting.
The N.W.T. Health Authority is offering virtual mental health support for Fort Providence residents this weekend, and will have in-person support at the local health centre on Monday. Information on how to access virtual support is available here.
Police are asking anyone in Fort Providence with knowledge of the incident to contact RCMP at 867-699-1111.
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