Canadian police discovered five individuals, including three children, who died from gunshot wounds, along with the alleged shooter, in two residences in a border city. This case, described as “intimate partner violence,” unfolded in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, is located near the intersection of three Great Lakes along the US state of Michigan’s border, approximately 700 kilometers (430 miles) north of Toronto. The police found out about the incident late on Monday following reports of break-ins to these residences.
At the first residence, a 41-year-old individual was found dead from a gunshot wound, with the shooter having left the area before the police arrived. Ten minutes later, another emergency call led the police to a second residence just 3.7 kilometers (2.3 miles) away. At this location, three children, aged six, seven, and 12 years old, were found dead, along with the alleged shooter, who appeared to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Another victim, aged 45, was discovered injured with a gunshot wound and was transported to the hospital.
Sault police chief Hugh Stevenson stated that these incidents were connected and resulted from intimate partner violence. The mayor, Matthew Shoemaker, and federal Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc both expressed their condolences and labeled the events as a tragic occurrence. Minister LeBlanc also emphasized the need for further efforts in addressing these types of crimes.
According to government data, while gun crimes in Canada decreased from 2020 to 2021 and constitute a small proportion of all violent crimes, shootings have increased compared to a decade ago.
