Fatal shooting at North Spirit Lake First Nation, one man in custody

One person was killed and another arrested after a shooting in North Spirit Lake First Nation, a remote Oji-Cree community in northwestern Ontario.

Fatal shooting in remote Ontario First Nation leaves one dead, suspect arrested

Google News CA — Crime (EN) reports that one person has been killed and a male suspect taken into custody following a shooting at North Spirit Lake First Nation, a remote Oji-Cree community in northwestern Ontario.

The Nishnawbe Aski Police Service (NAPS) said officers responded to a report of a disturbance in the community shortly after 5 p.m. CT on Friday. A second victim was injured but is reported to be in stable condition.

"There is no known ongoing threat to public safety as a result of this incident," NAPS said in a news release issued Friday night. The service added that residents can expect an increased police presence while the investigation continues.

The chief and council of North Spirit Lake First Nation issued a statement Friday evening describing the events as a "devastating and unnecessary loss of life."

"North Spirit Lake First Nation is deeply saddened to share that a serious incident occurred in our community early this evening involving the shooting of two community members," the statement read. "Tragically, a second community member has lost their life."

The statement identified the male suspect as "a man not known to the community."

"This is a devastating and unnecessary loss of life that will have a profound impact on their families and on our entire community," the chief and council said, asking residents to keep those affected in their thoughts.

North Spirit Lake is home to approximately 430 people and is situated about 530 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay and 170 kilometres north of Red Lake.

The shooting follows a separate incident at Constance Lake First Nation in the early hours of August 29. Community members were advised to shelter indoors for several hours during that investigation. Constance Lake, an Ojibway and Cree community of just under 900 residents located roughly 490 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, was also attended by NAPS alongside the Ontario Provincial Police.

"Investigators determined the incident occurred at a residence in the community, where an adult male victim sustained injuries during an apparent shooting," NAPS said of the Constance Lake incident. "This led to an integrated emergency and investigative response consisting of the NAPS and OPP's Emergency Response Teams, OPP's North East Criminal Operations and NAPS Northeast Crime Unit."

Mental health counselling and crisis support is available around the clock through the Hope for Wellness hotline at 1-855-242-3310 or via online chat at www.hopeforwellness.ca.

Source: Google News CA — Crime (EN)