RCMP said four people sustained non-life-threatening injuries in a shooting Friday at the Muslim Cemetery outside Calgary, approximately one kilometre east of the community of Cochrane.
“All are expected to make a full recovery,” Cpl. Sharon Franks said at the Okotoks Detachment Friday evening.
Franks said RCMP were called to reports of a shooting at the cemetery at 3:35 p.m.
“When police arrived at the cemetery all the parties involved… had left the scene,” she said.
RCMP said friends and family members had gathered at the cemetery for a funeral when an altercation led to a “gun fight.”
“At this point we do not believe that this was a random incident,” Franks said.
A witness, who did not wish to be identified, said at the end of the funeral, a skirmish broke out. She heard two or three gunshots and people started running.
RCMP said everyone involved in the shooting appear to have been at the funeral, although police are not sure about the relationship between the people at the ceremony.
“They were there to mourn a friend, a family member,” Franks said. “This is one of those things that’s hard to understand.”
However, RCMP said the shooting does not appear to be racially motivated.
“All injured parties are of the same race,” Franks said.
The four people injured were taken to Foothills Hospital and RCMP are hoping to speak to the individuals who drove them there. Officers would also like to speak to anyone who was at the funeral.
Franks reiterated that the general public is not at risk.
“We don’t believe any further incidents will occur because of this funeral.”
Cochrane RCMP is working with Calgary police and other law enforcement agencies on the investigation. Franks said investigators would be on scene for several more hours looking for evidence.
When asked about earlier information indicating one person was killed in the shooting, Franks replied: “I can confirm all four people in this incident are expected to recover.”
-With files from Jodi Hughes and Gary Bobrovitz
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