A man was killed in a shooting incident on Big Island Lake Cree Nation in Saskatchewan, with two armed individuals still at large, as confirmed by the RCMP. Larry Wahpistikwan, the father of the victim, Neil, recounted receiving a call notifying him of his son’s tragic death following a round dance event at Moon Lake. Despite attempted CPR by Mounties at the scene, Neil did not survive, while others sustained injuries and were transported to the hospital.
The RCMP disclosed that one fatality and three injuries resulted from the shooting, with no identities revealed yet. The two armed suspects, who were last observed riding an ATV, remain unidentified. Authorities believe the shooting was an isolated event and have mobilized resources statewide to locate the suspects.
Following a dangerous person alert issued by the RCMP early Tuesday, the community underwent a lockdown as a precautionary measure, which was lifted later in the day after authorities deemed the situation no longer an imminent threat. Despite this, the suspects remain at large with no arrests made.
Community efforts are underway to aid those affected by the tragedy, with a call for mental health support by Big Island Lake Cree Nation band manager Geoffrey Sandfly. Expressing concerns over inadequate funding for safety and security, Sandfly emphasized the need for government assistance in addressing mental health challenges within the community.
As a response to the incident, seven healthcare facilities in the vicinity were placed under lockdown, as stated by the Saskatchewan government. Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, the government extended sympathies to those impacted by the events at Big Island Lake Cree Nation.