Two in hospital after fatal Joussard sand pit shooting in stable condition; RCMP speaking to multiple witnesses

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A man and youth are in stable condition after a northern Alberta shooting at a sand pit that left a third victim dead, say RCMP now collecting multiple witness statements.

The RCMP Major Crimes Unit has taken over the investigation into the April 3 shooting at the sand pits in the northern Alberta hamlet of Joussard that killed a 19-year-old man. The two other victims, a 21-year-old man and a youth, were taken to hospital. All three were from the Sucker Creek First Nation.

Cpl. Terry Savinkoff, a spokesman for Alberta RCMP, said Monday that both victims taken to hospital had undergone successful surgeries and are in stable condition.

Savikoff said there were many witnesses to the shooting and that investigators are continuing to work their way through the process of identifying who was involved.

“Our investigators are interviewing a lot of witnesses. There were a lot of people on site at the sand pits that evening” said Savinkoff. “‘It’s quite a dynamic investigation with a lot of witnesses and a lot of people involved.”

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He said residents of the hamlet can expect to see an increased police presence in the area as officers investigate and police make their presence felt. Investigators believe the shooting was targeted and there is not a threat to the safety of the public at this time.

“We don’t believe that there’s a random individual who’s out targeting additional people,” said Savinkoff. “That being said, especially in these small communities, we always try to have a directed response, more visible patrols in an area anytime that something like this happens.”

Anyone with with information regarding the shooting is asked to call High River RCMP at 780-523-3378. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Joussard is approximately 338 kilometres northwest of Edmonton and about 14 kilometres east of Sucker Creek First Nation.

dshort@postmedia.com