Saskatchewan

2 people dead, likely including suspect, after 'shooting incident' in Langham, Sask.: police

Police say the suspect in a "shooting incident" that prompted an emergency alert is believed dead in a burned out home. Another person has also been confirmed dead following the incident Friday morning in Langham, Sask.

Justin Heimbecker, subject of emergency alert, is believed dead in burned house

A man, expressionless, against a blank background.
Police say Justin Heimbecker, the suspect in a shooting in Langham, Sask., might be dead after a body was found in a burned home. (SaskAlert)

Two people are dead, likely including the suspect, following a "shooting incident" that sent a small Saskatchewan town into lockdown Friday morning, RCMP say.

In a news release, RCMP say officers found a body in a burned home at about 11:40 a.m. in the town of Langham, about 30 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon. They believe it to be Justin Heimbecker, the subject of the alert, though they haven't confirmed the identity of the deceased.

The house had been set aflame earlier on Friday, police said.

The emergency alert, which began at 7:40 a.m. and ended at 12:05 p.m. CST,  had warned the public of a dangerous, armed suspect at large, and urged them to lock their doors and windows, and shelter in place. The alert was issued to residents of Langham and the surrounding areas, including Saskatoon, Prince Albert and North Battleford. 

"It's a sad day in Langham: Two families have been ripped apart," said Mayor Gary Epp, who offered his thoughts and  prayers to the families. "The first responders and RCMP — that's probably not the greatest day they've had, either."

During the alert, Saskatchewan Highway Patrol officers had blocked off roads in the area, and were checking people's trunks on their way in and out. Police were also warning drivers not to pick up any hitchhikers.

Earlier Friday, Coun. Carol Epp said it was unclear what was happening in her town.

"We're staying inside so we haven't been out. We have seen police cars go by, we've heard sirens, but that's it," Epp said before the alert was lifted. "There's a thousand things on Facebook but no one seems to know."

A police officer stands beside a highway patrol vehicle in Langham, Sask.
Police blockaded roads around the the town before the emergency alert was lifted. (Don Somers/CBC)

Mitch Deschambeault, owner of Three Bean Cafe, said during the alert he "kinda peeked out my door when I first got the warning, but I haven't seen anyone."

"I think everyone has already locked themselves in and everything. We decided not to open the doors, obviously, so I'm just kind of waiting to see more information."

RCMP spokesperson Mandy Maier told CBC News the major crimes unit is in the early stages of an investigation. 

She said that between 7:46 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Friday the RCMP divisional operational communication centre received 20 calls from the public with information about this incident. 

"Any time an incident like this occurs, there is high anxiety within a community. There's lots of questions. People looking for information. Our investigators are working hard to find out what happened," Maier said. 

With files from Laura Sciarpelletti