Manhunt related to suspicious death leads RCMP to site northeast of Vilna, Alberta

An investigation into the death of a man whose body was found at a Cold Lake, Alta., gas station on Sunday resulted in a significant police presence northeast of Vilna, Alta., on Monday night.

In a news release late Monday night, RCMP asked people to stay away from the Bonnie Lake area — about four kilometres northeast of Vilna.

“The golf course has been evacuated and one male suspect is remaining at large,” police said. “There is a heavy police presence and the RCMP are asking the public to remain in their home and call 911 if they see any suspicious activity.

“Homeowners in the Bonnie Lake area need to be aware of this situation and the public needs to avoid the area.”

RCMP confirmed that three suspects are in custody and that the remaining suspect is described as being a man in his mid-20s, about five-foot-11 and 140 pounds.

Police previously said they were seeking one or more suspects whom they believed may be armed and dangerous.

At about 1 a.m. on Sunday, RCMP said officers were called to a Petro Canada gas station on Highway 28 for reports that a man had been shot in the parking lot.

They said they believed four suspects left the area and they were looking for a stolen black Nissan Murano with the licence place BRW 5433. It was last seen on Cold Lake First Nation, RCMP said.

An autopsy has been scheduled for Thursday.

Anyone who has seen the SUV or has information should call Cold Lake RCMP at 780-594-3302.

Vilna is located about 160 kilometres northeast of Edmonton.

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