RCMP say shelter in place order lifted in Fort Smith, N.W.T., suspect still at large

A shelter in place order enactedafter a person was found deadin the town of Fort Smith, N.W.T., Friday morninghas since been lifted, but as of Saturday, the RCMPsays the suspectis still at large.

In a Facebook post Saturday morning, the town told its 2,500 residents the shelter in place order had been lifted on Facebook, but asked them to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the RCMP.

The RCMPissued a statement at 11 a.m. on Saturday that Fort Smith officers and additional units are involved in ongoing police operation. The release said policecontinue to try and locate a person of interest in this investigation, but the identity can't be released.

Police confirmed the shelter in place order has been withdrawn.

"This incident has shaken the sense of safety in the community and it is affecting many citizens but the RCMP are
committed to supplying resources to bring this matter to a successful conclusion," saidInsp.Barry LaRocque theSouth District RCMP Officer in Charge, in the release.

Salt River First Nation Chief David Poitras said police may put a checkpoint in place on Highway 5, but that it would not prevent people from entering the community.

A Fort Smith resident said the police activity around Calder Avenue cleared out at about 11:30 p.m. on Friday.

William-John McNeill said he was outside his home, building a deck at around 11 a.m. on Friday when he saw a police car "come screeching to a halt."

The police and the town then set up barricades around the street.

Ronnie Schaefer, another Fort Smith resident, said the RCMP had closed off Field Street around Calder Avenue Friday afternoon. He said he'd seen officers in tactical gear as well as police from Hay River in the community.

The only interaction McNeill had with police was when an officer shouted for him to go inside.

He said he remained inside for most of the day, but went outside later in the evening for a smoke when he saw police activity.

McNeillcaptured a video of the interaction at around 10 p.m., where officers could be heard demanding for people inside a building to come out.

"That's when the police were saying to any occupants in the building 'come out,wear only one layer of clothing. No jacket, walk backwards to us,'" he said.

McNeillsaid about an hour later, police left the area.

Lockdown began Friday morning

At 10:45 a.m. on Friday, police issued a notice to residents to remain indoors after responding to a suspicious death and reports of shots fired. At the time, police said they were looking for a white 2019 Ford Explorer with an N.W.T. government logo on its side.

"Public safety is paramount," the latest statement issued around 11 p.m. on Friday reads, adding that police are asking community members to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.

Poitras, Salt River First Nation chief, said he'd been in regular contact with police throughout the past two days.

The initial news release said that Fort Smith RCMP had "responded to a number of firearms-related complaints," and that updates will be provided.

"A number of RCMP resources have been engaged and are en route to the community," the release stated.

Unconfirmed reports from residents say there were a series of break-ins overnight on March 4 in the community, including a territorial government office building housing Department of Lands' offices, from which guns and the vehicle may have been stolen, allegedly.

Ashley Makohoniuk, a spokesperson for the department of Lands, said in an email "while this is an active investigation we ask that you direct any questions about the details to the RCMP who are the authority on the ground."

'Kind of scary right now'

Resident Schaefer said earlier Friday morning people were on edge looking out for a vehicle with a government logo.

Patti-Kay Hamilton said she was trying to unwind with some beading when she got a call from her husband, informing her of the situation.

"Everybody's scared, especially people who might be alone," she told CBC News.

"Of course we all know each other so people know the people who have been hurt."

On Friday morning, Isabel Lehman agreed.

"It's not a comfortable feeling, if whoever has done this hasn't been apprehended, then gee wiz, how safe are we?" she said.

Thebacha MLA Frieda Martselos mentioned an incident in Fort Smith at the Legislative Assembly on Friday.

"I just want to let my community know that I'm very sorry about the chaos that happened in Fort Smith last night, and I'll be home tonight and deal with it," she said.

Community closures

Several facilities closed on Friday, including the Northern Store, the Recreation and Community Centre, the arena and the library.

The Northern Store opened at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Although the town was in lockdown, parents were able to pick up their children from the Paul William Kaeser High School in Fort Smith around 2 p.m. on Friday.

The N.W.T. health authority posted on Facebook it was reducing services as a result of the ongoing situation.

Health facilities, including the health centre, locked entrances and limited access. Emergency andurgent care was available through the Emergency Room entrance.

No update has been posted as of Saturday, but the health authority posted on Friday night that a phone number was set up for 24 hour support for residents of Fort Smith.

Anyone who sees the vehicle in question is asked to call 911.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Fort Smith RCMP at 872-1111 or Crimestoppers at www.p3tips.com.