A Peterborough-area woman has died of her injuries and her husband is charged with first-degree murder following a shooting in the parking lot of The Home Depot in Peterborough on Wednesday morning.
“We can confirm it’s domestic-related,” said Peterborough Police Service Insp. Lynne Buehler at an afternoon press conference. “They are husband and wife.”
The victim has been identified as Sandra Finn, 70. Her husband Terrance Finn, 73, was arrested at the scene and later charged with first-degree murder.
Just after 8 a.m., police were called to the parking lot along Lansdowne Street West for a reported shooting. Buehler said officers discovered a 70-year-old woman in a vehicle with “life-threatening injuries.”
Police say the woman was initially sent to Peterborough Regional Health Centre. According to Ornge, she was subsequently airlifted to Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto in critical condition.
Police said she was later pronounced dead at Sunnybrook.
“We offer our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the victim,” said Buehler.
WATCH: Carey Walker recounts shooting incident at Peterborough Home Depot
Corus Radio employees Steve Kearns with 101.5 The Wolf FM and Carey Walker, promotions and new media director, were setting up a remote for live radio broadcast from the store when the shooting occurred.
They tell CHEX News the woman was shot in the upper body.
WATCH: A woman was taken to hospital following a shooting in a Peterborough parking lot
Kearns said while exiting the store at the time of the shooting he heard “three or four pops” and saw some smoke in the vicinity of a car.
He said an older man then placed a handgun on the vehicle’s hood and remained at the scene. The man was taken into custody when police arrived.
“There is no concern for public safety at this time,” police said in a morning release.
The plaza and parking lot were initially closed to the public. Police cordoned off a vehicle in the parking lot.
Around 9 a.m., police said both The Home Depot and nearby Staples would remain open to foot traffic.
Just after 2 p.m., police stated the parking lot had re-opened and that the scene had been cleared.
Police are asking witnesses to come forward.
“We have spoken to a number of people who were there,” said Buehler.
Finn made a court appeArance late Wednesday afternoon. He was remanded into custody and will make another court appearance via video on Friday.