In the wake of a fatal shooting that claimed the life of a local woman last Friday, Weyburn Mayor Jeff Richards says the community is reeling with "sadness and disbelief". He described Weyburn as a "very tight-knit city" where the unsettling incident is impacting a lot of people.
"Surprised, shocked, obviously people are taken back by this," Richards said on Monday. "I think people are sad. I think people are angry, quite frankly, at what happened and not understanding can make it infinitely more difficult because there's so many unknowns.”
He noted this is the most severe incident he has dealt with in his time as mayor.
The mayor's comments come as the Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes Unit continues its investigation into what it has deemed a suspicious death. According to investigators, the incident took place shortly after 8 p.m. on Friday, September 12th.
Police stated two women who were friends were travelling together in a black Ford Explorer on Highway 39, heading towards Weyburn. A loud crack was heard, believed to be the discharge of a firearm, with a shot striking and entering the back of the vehicle. The passenger, a 44-year-old woman from Weyburn, was shot and died at the scene. The driver, also from the Weyburn area, was not physically injured and is not a suspect. The investigation currently indicates the shooting may be random in nature.
The RCMP had requested to speak with drivers of two vehicles who may have witnessed the incident, and has spoken with both. They have also put out a call asking the public to share any dashcam or other surveillance footage of the area near the Richardson Pioneer and Viterra terminals along Highway 39, and the intersection of Highways 13 and 39.
Mayor Richards echoed the RCMP's plea for public assistance, encouraging residents to report anything they might know.
"If you know something, don't withhold," Richards urged. "Even if you're not sure if it's valuable or not, make the call. I know the people of Weyburn and the surrounding area, they will be diligent and they will phone in and they will do whatever they can do to help.”
Richards also extended his thoughts to the local first responders who were first on the scene of what he called a very traumatic incident.
"Our thoughts are also with the local Weyburn responders... local EMS, the Weyburn Police Service," he said. "We appreciate their diligence and their care and their professionalism.”
The mayor's primary message to the community is to come together to support the victim's family, friends, and each other through this difficult time.
The RCMP investigation is active, and residents can expect to see an increased police presence in the area. Anyone with information is asked to call 310-RCMP, 911 in an emergency, or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.