1 person dead after 2 shot in Norway House Cree Nation

One man is dead and another has been released from hospital after they were shot Tuesday evening in Norway House Cree Nation.

The suspected shooter is still at large, although there is conflicting information as to whether he is a threat or not.

RCMP on Wednesday morning said he is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached. However, a message on the community Facebook page says he is not a threat to the general public, but people should be cautious and alert.

“We ask everyone to remain calm, stay vigilant, and follow all directions from the emergency response team through the Alertable app, local radio, and trusted social media channels for official updates,” said a Facebook post by Alfred Laugher, the First Nation’s acting chief.

Although RCMP believe it was a targeted shooting, there’s still a lot of work to be done to gather the necessary evidence, which is why the alleged gunman is still considered a threat, an RCMP spokesperson told CBC News.

Additional RCMP resources are being sent to Norway House, also called Kinosao Sipi, to bring the suspect safely into custody. Residents can expect heavy police presence throughout the day.

The Norway House leadership, though, has lifted the lockdown that was put into place after the incident, the community Facebook post said.

RCMP were called around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to a disturbance just south of Lagoon Road. Two men, age 25 and 38, were found with gunshot wounds, police said in a news release.

The 25-year-old died at 10:45 p.m., while the other victim was treated and released from hospital. Both men are from the community, which is about 195 kilometres south of Thompson, Man.

The shooting happened at the Playgreen Inn bar, an emergency alert from the First Nation said. The alleged shooter was seen running into the bush on Fort Island, the alert said.

Mounties used police dogs and other specialized units to search for the suspect on Tuesday.

Additional resources were deployed Wednesday, “and residents can expect heavy police presence throughout the day,” RCMP said.

RCMP have not given a description or age of the suspect.

This is the second time in less than two weeks that a Manitoba First Nation has been put into lockdown because of a suspect at large.

People in Pukatawagan, about 300 km northwest of Norway House, faced a mandatory lockdown after three people forced their way into a home on April 17.

Two boys, age 16 and 17, were arrested shortly afterward, but the third person, Creedan Bighetty, 23, went into hiding. He was found in a home on Monday.

Norway House Cree Nation is one of Manitoba’s largest Indigenous communities, with almost 6,900 members living on reserve, the First Nation’s website says. The community sits on the eastern channel of the Nelson River.

RCMP ask anyone with information to immediately contact the Norway House detachment at 204-359-6715.