Pimicikamak FN locked down, police hunt for suspect after fatal shooting

Pimicikamak Cree First Nation, also known as Cross Lake, remains under lockdown as RCMP Major Crime Services investigate a shooting that left a 42-year-old man dead.

RCMP said officers were notified by local First Nation Safety Officers at about 9:30 p.m. Friday about a seriously injured person on Main Road in the community. Officers found two males at the scene, including one with a gunshot wound.

The 42-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS. The second male was not injured and did not require medical attention, police said.

Manitoba RCMP Major Crime Services, along with Cross Lake RCMP and Forensic Identification Services, are investigating. Police said the suspect is believed to be known to the person shot and may still be in the community.

Chief David Monias said the lockdown, which remained ongoing Saturday afternoon, is intended to help police conduct their investigation and allow safety officials to monitor movement within the community. In a video update posted at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, he confirmed that the shooter is still on the loose.

“We don’t want people unnecessarily moving around in the community that will distract the police or safety officers from their job,” Monias told the Free Press. “The reason why we’re doing that is to make sure that we give police an opportunity to be able to check things out and check suspicious people out.”

In a social media post early Saturday morning, Monias said there had been a “serious incident” involving gunfire in the community and that one person had been confirmed dead.

Monias announced an immediate community lockdown and said all Treaty and Indian Days events, activities and gatherings were cancelled until further notice.

The advisory posted by Monias asks residents to remain inside their homes, lock all doors and windows, keep children indoors and not allow them to play outside or wander unsupervised. It also asks residents not to open their doors to anyone they do not know and trust.

“We’re expecting people to cooperate with the law enforcement, and then cooperate with the lockdown and keep their children safe, their elders safe, and keep themselves safe, and then report any suspected suspicious activity to the RCMP,” Monias said.

In the post, he also urged residents not to share unconfirmed information or rumours on social media and asked anyone with firsthand knowledge of the incident to contact police directly.

“There’s a lot of stress … and there’s a lot of concern for the safety of our people,” he said. “We’re also very heartbroken for the families that are experiencing their loss.”

The lockdown will remain in place until the RCMP determines it is safe to lift, Monias said.

Police are asking residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious behaviour to the Cross Lake RCMP detachment at 204-676-2600.

zoe.pierce@freepress.mb.ca