Eskasoni schools, businesses closed as police investigate shooting
Eskasoni #Eskasoni
Police say people in Eskasoni can now move around the community safely, after being asked to stay in their homes early Monday morning while police investigated a shooting.
On Sunday around 10:25 p.m, Eskasoni RCMP responded to a call of a shooting at a home in the Mi’kmaw community of Eskasoni in Cape Breton, according to a release.
One man was wounded and taken to hospital, after someone shot him through a window. Police said he suffered non-life threatening injuries.
About two hours later the RCMP responded to a second report of shots fired in the community, but police found no evidence of this incident, which they describe as unsubstantiated.
Residents were asked to remain in their homes with the doors locked and report any suspicious activity to police.
Just before 8 a.m., RCMP tweeted that they believe this was an isolated shooting. RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Mark Skinner said there was “no longer a risk to the public,” and people could now leave their homes.
Police have not reported any arrests.
Eskasoni Chief Leroy Denny said on social media early Monday morning that the shooting happened on Mountainview Drive, and people should stay away from that area. This information also went out via the community’s Everbridge alert system.
Denny also said that, “for precautionary reasons,” all businesses under the umbrella of the band would be closed on Monday. This includes all schools, the band office, health centre, Crane Cove Seafoods, and fitness centre.
Police have a heavy presence in the community as they continue the investigation.
The RCMP are asking that people do not share information or photos of police operations.
Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to immediately contact police at (902) 379-2822, or call 911 if it’s an emergency.