LLOYDMINSTER, Alta. — RCMP are investigating what they say was a targeted firearms incident at a power substation in Lloydminster early Sunday that caused significant damage, a major oil spill, and widespread power outages.
Police responded to a call about a power outage around 4:40 a.m. on May 19. Officers later determined the cause to be a deliberate shooting at the ATCO substation located near 12th Street and 75 Avenue.
According to RCMP, a firearm was discharged at the facility, striking an oil tank and causing the release of roughly 20,000 litres of oil. The incident has resulted in an estimated $1.1 million in damages and environmental cleanup costs.
Lloydminster RCMP say they are treating the incident as a criminal investigation and are appealing to the public for information, including dashcam or surveillance footage that may have captured suspicious activity near the site.
Investigators are also looking into a number of break-ins reported during the outage, though there is no evidence at this time linking them directly to the substation incident.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Lloydminster RCMP at 780-808-8300. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online at www.P3Tips.com, or through the “P3 Tips” app. Residents can also report crime online or access RCMP updates through the Alberta RCMP app.