Residents of Peerless Trout First Nation in northern Alberta were forced to stay indoors overnight after local RCMP officers spotted three individuals just north of the community on Saturday evening. The trio was suspected of being armed following an alleged armed robbery of firearms and a shooting incident earlier that day.
The situation prompted an Alberta Emergency Alert for the area, urging residents to remain inside, secure their homes, avoid opening doors to strangers, and report any sightings to 911. The shelter-in-place directive and emergency alert were lifted the following morning as law enforcement believed the suspects had left the vicinity, eliminating the immediate threat to the community.
Chief Gilbert Okemow of Peerless Trout First Nation expressed concern for the safety of community members, noting the anxiety caused by the incident. The lack of familiarity with the individuals involved heightened the unease within the community, even though their nefarious intentions were evident.
According to RCMP reports, the armed suspects stole multiple firearms from a business near Red Earth Creek, Alberta, and subsequently fired at an individual in the area around midday on Saturday. Despite fleeing the scene, the suspects were later located by the police along Highway 686, north of Peerless Trout First Nation, as they attempted to refuel their vehicle with gas from a jerry can before fleeing into the forest upon police intervention.
The emergency alert and shelter-in-place advisory were issued promptly, with law enforcement conducting a thorough search in the area. By early Sunday morning, authorities confirmed the suspects had left the vicinity, leading to the cancellation of the emergency alert and the resumption of normal activities for residents.
While the suspects were believed to have moved away from Peerless Trout First Nation, the RCMP reiterated their armed and dangerous status and advised the public to avoid direct contact with them, urging any sightings to be reported to emergency services immediately.
