WEYBURN – The community of Weyburn is reeling after a shooting on Highway 39 that claimed the life of a local woman, with Mayor Jeff Richards describing a widespread feeling of “sadness and disbelief” among residents.
Shortly after 8 p.m. on Sept. 12, first responders from the Weyburn Police Service and EMS were dispatched to a report of a person who was seriously injured in an SUV travelling on Highway 39 approximately three kilometres northwest of Weyburn near the Richardson Pioneer/Viterra grain terminals/elevators. The police investigation has determined two adult females were travelling together in a black Ford Explorer on Highway 39, driving towards Weyburn. A loud crack was heard and a passenger, a 44-year-old female from Weyburn, was struck by a bullet that had entered the travelling Ford Explorer.
Mayor Richards said the incident is “a very unnerving experience” that has deeply affected the close-knit city of approximately 11,000 people.
“This is a very tight-knit city, so it is impacting a lot of people, and we're set back by it for sure,” he said.
He expressed confidence in the community’s resilience and willingness to support investigators.
“We are putting our faith in our community to stand together, support one another, and trust in the RCMP that they will move this investigation along.”
Mayor Richards extended the community’s condolences to the victim’s family and friends noting the close-knit nature of the community means that many residents know those affected.
“We know their families, and our thoughts and prayers are with them."
He also acknowledged the trauma experienced by first responders from local EMS and Weyburn Police Service who were first on scene.
“This is a very traumatic thing to come across on a Friday evening, and they aren't expecting that when they go to work,” said Mayor Richards. “It's hard on them, and we appreciate their diligence and their care and their professionalism as they work through that as well on Friday night.”
Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes Unit has taken over the investigation. They say that the victim was shot when someone discharged a firearm that struck the travelling vehicle from behind. The driver, also from Weyburn area, wasn’t injured and isn’t considered a suspect.
Police have described the shooting as potentially “random in nature,” which has added to community concerns.
Since the shooting, Mayor Richards has been in regular communication with local authorities, including the Weyburn Police Service, coordinating support for their investigation.
“I think people are sad," said Mayor Richards. "I think people are angry, quite frankly, at what happened. And not understanding can make it infinitely more difficult because there's so many unknowns."
He emphasized that gun violence isn’t an issue for Weyburn, calling the incident “very isolated.”
RCMP received many tips
Inspector Ashley St. Germaine of the Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes Branch confirmed in a media release that investigators have received “many tips from the public” but are still seeking additional information.
"We recognize this is the result of information shared online and through our news partners. It shows the public wants to help and we appreciate this greatly. We are appealing to those individuals who may have been out in the area of Highway 39 northwest of Weyburn on Sept. 12. Maybe you were hunting or target shooting, or perhaps you were with or know someone who was. Perhaps you recall a passing a vehicle on that road around 8:00 p.m. Maybe you have vehicle dash cam footage from travelling Highway #39 that night. Please give our investigators a call to assist us in getting answers for the victim’s family and community.”
RCMP thank the public for all their assistance and tips and urge them to please keep them coming.
Investigators are asking the public and business owners – particularly those with buildings or homes along Highway 39 into Weyburn and Highway 13 – to check video surveillance or house/doorbell camera footage between 7:45 and 8:30 p.m. Sept. 12. If you note any suspicious people or vehicles or anything out of the ordinary, please call and report it.
Report tips and information by calling 310-RCMP (7267), or if you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. In an emergency dial 911.
sparks@sasktoday.ca
