Bunibonibee Cree Nation locked down for safety Sunday as four people shot, chief says
Chief Richard Hart says decision made to protect band members while details about incident were unknown
Two men and two teenage boys have been airlifted from a northern Manitoba First Nation to Winnipeg after being shot on Sunday, RCMP say.
Bunibonibee Cree Nation Chief Richard Hart says the community was locked down on Sunday night for their protection.
"We didn't know who the shooter was or who the individuals that were involved were. So we had to make sure that people locked their doors, try to stay home and stay safe," he said in an interview with CBC News.
At about 9:30 p.m., Mounties responded to East Back Lake Graveyard in Bunibonibee Cree Nation for a report of shots fired, RCMP said in a news release on Monday.
Police were told shortly afterwards that three males were dropped off at the nursing station with gunshot wounds. A fourth male arrived at the nursing station shortly afterwards with injuries as well.
"I think people know that it wasn't a random act of violence, but at the same time, it's disconcerting to see that activity, especially the gang activity, escalate especially to a point where we're now seeing guns involved. So it's quite a change for our community," Hart said.
Investigators believe a number of people arranged to meet up and a fight ensued. Police do not believe it's a random incident.
Hart believes they were rival gangs.
The injured males, who are 28, 26, 17 and 16, were brought to hospital in Winnipeg and are now in stable condition.
Hart says the First Nation is now waiting for the RCMP to bring in an emergency response team to track down the people who were involved in the shooting.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Oxford House RCMP detachment at 204-538-2046, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 or leave a secure tip online.
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