RCMP are investigating a triple homicide in Lloydminster and say the suspect, or suspects, remain on the loose.
Just after 5:50 p.m. Wednesday, RCMP responded to a “call of a well-being check” at a home in the area of 50th Street and 47th Avenue, which is on the Saskatchewan side of the border.
Lloydminster RCMP detachment commander Insp. Brian Nicholl said three people were found dead inside the house.
Nicholl said there is no risk to the public, as this appears to be “a targeted, isolated incident.”
“While I understand seeing more police presence can cause concern for folks, this is because we have people diligently working hard to solve this crime. I want to ensure you that they are here to bring a swift resolution to these murders,” Nicholl said Thursday afternoon.
“We believe this is a targeted incident, that somebody came to this location — or some peoples came to this location — specifically.
“The suspect or suspects are still at large so I do understand the concern by the community, but this is not a random incident.”
A heavy police presence remained at the home on Thursday afternoon, as members of the Alberta RCMP major crimes unit continued to investigate.
Police tape surrounded an area near a green house, and a portion of a nearby roadway also remained blocked off by police. Nicholl said the road was blocked off as a way for police to secure the scene.
Evidence markers could be seen on the ground outside the house, and officers were using metal detectors in their investigation.
Jon-Paul Labreque lives two doors down from the home and said a man lives there with his two adult sons.
Nicholl would not confirm any details about the victims, their potential relationship to one another, or if they lived in the house where they were found dead. Their names and ages have also not been released by police.
Labreque said he left his house at around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, at which time he saw about eight police vehicles around the home. Yellow police tape went up shortly after, he said.
Labreque said he messaged a man who lives in the house but did not hear back. He said he used to hang out with the man, but not in recent years.
“Over the last probably four years, honestly I did not interact with him at all,” Labreque said.
When he got home around 10:30 p.m., Labreque said more police had arrived. He said he asked an officer if they could tell him what was going on, but the officer said it was still under investigation.
“I just want my own personal closure because I wanted to know for myself to know if he’s OK or what.”
Emerie Penner also lives nearby and knows the father and adult sons who live in the home.
“They’re actually pretty nice people to me. They never conflict anything about me and my family. They’re like a brother to me,” Penner said, adding he would go drink a beer with the dad every once in a while.
“I knew their dad for a long time, so that’s how I got introduced to the boys.”
Penner described the situation as shocking and scary.
Autopsies will be conducted over the next two days, Nicholl said.
“I want to give my sincere condolences on behalf of the entire detachment to the family, friends, loved ones of these individuals. This is a profound loss of life for their family and for the wider community,” Nicholl said.
Lloydminster is located about 250 kilometres east of Edmonton.