INNISFAIL – RCMP are searching for suspects in the shooting of a Sylvan Lake woman early this morning in the town’s south end.
The 22-year-old woman is listed in stable condition in a Calgary hospital.
“I can confirm a female was shot and taken to hospital,” said Innisfail RCMP Staff Sgt. Chris Matechuk. He said no arrests have been made at this time.
“We are actively investigating. There is no risk to the public at all. “I can’t say much more as we are working on it right now.”
He said the shooting incident occurred shortly before 5 a.m. on March 6 in a residence in the 3700 block of 50th Avenue near the Cannon Park area. Upon arrival police learned an unknown person had already taken the female victim to the hospital. They also learned the suspects had fled the area, said a police news release.
He said the woman was first taken to Innisfail hospital and then airlifted by STARS air ambulance to Calgary’s Foothills Medical Centre.
By 10 a.m. Friday several neighbourhood residents in the Cannon Park area were visited and questioned by local RCMP.
Pat Ducharme who lives metres away from Cannon Park, at the corner of 39 Street and 50th Avenue was one of them and said she and her neighbours in the area were questioned by police.
“They were just asking if we heard any gunshots this morning,” said Ducharme.
She said she did not hear anything as she was sleeping at the time.
“I was a little bit freaked out this morning, but it’s a small town. I just moved here a year ago,” she added. “Crime is everywhere. It doesn’t really matter where you live.”
Ducharme noted RCMP officers were working on the street looking for possible evidence.
“I just kind of watched out my window all morning as they were doing their sweep (with) the metal detector to find bullets or casings or something,” she said.
An RCMP officer in a vehicle across from the suspected residence where the shooting occurred, would not provide any comment on what they were doing there.
If any citizen has information regarding this incident, he or she is asked to contact the Innisfail RCMP Detachment at 403-227-3342 or their local police. If citizens wish to remain anonymous, they can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
The RCMP investigation continues.
- With files from Kristine Jean
