RCMP cancel shelter-in-place alert in Beaufort Delta after woman shot at Inuvik airport; suspect arrested, victim recovering in hospital.
RCMP Lift Shelter Alert After Shooting at Inuvik Airport
Emergency response in Beaufort Delta
Residents of Inuvik, Fort McPherson and Tsiigehtchic in the Northwest Territories were told to shelter in place Saturday after reports of a shooting at Inuvik’s airport. RCMP issued a dangerous person advisory shortly after 2 p.m., warning of an armed suspect possibly travelling in a red Ford pickup truck along Highway 8.
What led to the alert
Inuvik Mayor Peter Clarkson confirmed the alert followed reports that a woman had been shot at the airport around 1 p.m. local time. The victim was transported to hospital for treatment. Municipal facilities and many local stores closed their doors as a precaution, leaving the community quiet under lockdown.
How the situation ended
By early evening, RCMP announced the alert had been cancelled, stating it was safe for residents to leave their homes. Clarkson later explained that the suspect had been apprehended on Highway 8 roughly an hour before the advisory was lifted. Police have not released further details on the suspect or charges.
Impact on the community
Clarkson said Sunday that the woman is recovering in hospital and that counselling services are being offered by the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority. He acknowledged that people present during the shooting remain shaken, noting the lasting trauma of such an event in a small community.
Reassurance after rare violence
The mayor stressed that incidents of gun violence are rare in Inuvik and surrounding communities. He added that the swift emergency response showed the region’s ability to coordinate quickly in crisis. “I think there’s some reassurance that we can react very quickly and ensure safety for everybody,” Clarkson said.
