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Police and the Saskatchewan Coroners Service are still working to positively identify a woman shot dead in Pelican Narrows on Monday.
According to the Saskatchewan RCMP, officers got a report of a shooting near the health centre in the northern Saskatchewan community at approximately 1:56 p.m. While some initial reports indicated the shooting happened at the clinic, the RCMP said on Tuesday that those reports were incorrect.
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The RCMP said police responding to the call found two shooting victims – an adult woman and an adult man – on the same road near the health centre, “a short distance away from each other.”
The woman was declared dead at the scene, RCMP said, while the man was taken to a hospital for treatment of serious injuries.
“Formal identification of the deceased is ongoing, in consultation with the Saskatchewan Coroners Service,” said Inspector Ashley St. Germaine, acting officer in charge of the Saskatchewan RCMP’s Major Crimes Branch.
The local school was put into lockdown while police searched for the suspect, St. Germaine said, and a dangerous person alert was issued at 2:29 p.m. The alert was updated with a description of the suspect shortly after 3 p.m.
A suspect was arrested at a home in Pelican Narrows shortly after 7 p.m., the RCMP said. One other person had previously been detained during the investigation, but St. Germaine said they were later released without charges.
The RCMP said the investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and asked the public to report any information that could help police.
“If you saw something or know something about this shooting, please say something,” St. Germaine said.
“Eyewitness accounts will be key to providing answers to the victims and their families.”
She said further updates on the case will be provided as the investigation progresses.
Violent crime up nearly 50 per cent in Pelican Narrows
The community of Pelican Narrows has become a hot spot for crime, addictions and social issues in recent years, according to chief superintendent Murray Chamberlain, criminal operations officer for the Saskatchewan RCMP.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Chamberlain said violent crime in the area covered by the Pelican Narrows RCMP detachment has gone up by 49 per cent over the past decade.
He said the trend is “extremely concerning,” especially considering the small population of the area.
“Change won’t happen overnight,” Chamberlain said.
“Addressing these challenges requires collaboration.”
He said police have been working with the community on a number of initiatives aiming to improve safety, and he thanked the public for helping police by making reports.
“You are our eyes and ears. Thank you for continuing to report crime and tips and partnering with us to effect positive change,” Chamberlain said.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe in their community.”
The Pelican Narrows RCMP detachment has seen staffing issues in recent years, Chamberlain added, with relief officers covering 888 shifts at the detachment since January of 2024.
Chamberlain said RCMP will implement a new rotational staffing model in northeast Saskatchewan this fall, with Saskatoon-based officers rotating through Pelican Narrows, Sandy Bay, Creighton and Deschambault Lake.
Both St. Germaine and Chamberlain said their thoughts are with the community as the public grieves.
Band says trauma support being offered to affected residents
The Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation asked its members to avoid areas where police investigators are working and to follow their directions.
Meanwhile, trauma and mental health support services are being co-ordinated for those affected by the shooting, the band added.
The band office and local school remained closed on Tuesday.
“Members are reminded to remain calm, stay vigilant and avoid sharing unverified information, names, photos, or speculation online,” the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation said in a statement.
“This is a time for unity, care, and support for one another.”
Doctor working at Pelican Narrows clinic says violence is changing community
Dr. John-Michael Stevens has provided services at the clinic for nine years and says staff he’s spoken to say that they — and the community at large — are shaken.
He says these types of shootings are starting to become common and there’s concern that something far worse could follow.
“I think what people are afraid of is that it’s only a matter of time before there’s a mass tragedy,” Stevens told The Canadian Press late Monday.
Recent acts of violence, he said, are transforming the community.
“I don’t feel unsafe generally walking around outside, but I know the community members do,” he said. “For the people who live here, they are very, very fearful with how things have been progressing.
“The community of resilient people is being torn down.”
Steven said he’s due back in Pelican Narrows on Tuesday. When he arrives, he said he’s expecting to see a community that is “emotionally broken” and in need of support.
“Everyone’s very shaken, so I think that’s what I expect — a lot of debriefing, a lot of chatting, supporting,” he said.
–with files from The Canadian Press
