RCMP assure Yukoners they 'have a handle' on violent crime cases, after latest homicide

Yukon RCMP's new detachment commander says people in the territory can still feel safe, despite the number of violent crimes in recent months.

So far in 2017, there have been seven homicides in Yukon, the most recent happening last week when a man was fatally shot in Porter Creek. Police have said it was not a random shooting.

• 'It's very scary': Whitehorse residents rattled after latest homicide

• Yukon's unusually violent year: 8 homicides in 12 months

"I think people should know that they're safe," said Insp. KeithMacKinnon, in an interview with CBC.

"At first glance, the publicas I would would wonder if this was an act of rampant violence, and we're confident it isn't, certainly in this case."

Still, some Yukonershave expressed concern about what seems to be a rash of violent crime, particularly in the capital.

Not an unsafe environment, RCMPsay

Police have said a red pickup truck was involved in last week's shooting in Porter Creek, andthey're still looking for the vehicle.

The case adds to an already-heavy workload for the Yukon RCMP Major CrimeUnit. Most of the homicides that have happened in Yukon since last year are still open cases, with no suspects charged.

MacKinnonadmitshe's arrived at the Yukon detachment at a busy time, but the 28-year RCMP veteran is not fazed.

"Those situations are always very difficult, but it's the job we do," he said.

"We do have a handle on these incidents, and we're actively investigating them. But I don't think there should be any sense of an unsafe environment."