RCMP say Fort Providence, N.W.T., shooting linked to drug trade
Police also said the suspect may have fled the territory
A shooting in Fort Providence, N.W.T., that killed one person and injured two others over the weekend is linked to the drug trade, according to an update from RCMP.
Police said in a news release Monday afternoon they believe the suspect in the case has fled the community and may have left the territory as well.
RCMP were called to a home in the community around 12:45 a.m. Saturday where they found one person dead and two others needing medical care.
One of those individuals remains in serious condition, police said, while the other is considered stable.
N.W.T. RCMP say their major crimes unit is investigating the case with help from RCMP officers in neighbouring communities as well as RCMP resources from Alberta.
In a phone interview Monday, Const. Josh Seaward said the investigation is "still in its infancy" and RCMP don't want to disclose too much detail at this point.
Seaward said it took about 20 minutes for officers to arrive on the scene after the call came in.
"Of course, we are following up on leads from within and outside the community, and just using our investigative networks to garner as much information as possible," he said.
'It's up to the community'
Dehcho MLA Sheryl Yakeleya said Monday that there will be a public meeting sometime this week to discuss how the community should respond.
She said she's heard some people talk about blockading roads or having security drive around the community.
Though police have said they believe there is no broader community risk right now, Yakeleya said that's not how people are feeling.
"People are terrified. They're scared [and] they don't know what's going to happen next," she said.
Yakeleya said many of the issues in the community — including addiction and drugs — stem from historical traumas.
"We need to shine a light on it, look at it and come to ways that we can deal with it," she said. "It's up to the community."
Yakeleya added the N.W.T. health department was sending a trauma team to the community, and the community hall would be open for people to come, visit and talk about what's happening.