5 dead, including 3 children and shooter, in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., domestic violence attack
WARNING: This article contains details about a fatal intimate partner violence case and may upset some readers.
Five people in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., are dead -- including three children and the shooter -- while one person is in hospital with gunshot wounds after intimate partner violence escalated into a shooting rampage at two homes, police say.
Police tape and vehicles surround a crime scene on Tancred Street in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. on Tuesday, Oct.24, 2023 where one person was found deceased with gunshot wounds. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Soo Today-Alex Flood)
It started with a 911 call about someone breaking into a home in the 200 block of Tancred Street around 10:20 p.m. Monday, Sault Ste. Marie Police said in a news release.
Officers found a 41-year-old person deceased with a gunshot wound at the residence and the shooter fled prior to their arrival.
About 10 minutes later, another 911 call came in about someone with a gun at a home in the 200 block of Second Line East, about three kilometres away.
When officers arrived, they found a 45-year-old with a gunshot wound and sent them to hospital. No word on their condition.
Inside the home, officers found three children -- ages six, seven and 12 -- fatally shot along with the 44-year-old shooter, who was also found deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The two incidents are connected and are the result of intimate partner violence, so the names of the accused and victims are not being released, Sault police said.
- Download the CTV News app now and get local alerts on your device
- Get local breaking news and updates sent to your email inbox
- Want more local news? Check out the Sault Ste. Marie page
These are not random acts of violence and there is no ongoing risk to public safety, police added.
"Our community is once again faced with the tragic and unnecessary loss of life," Sault police chief Hugh Stevenson is quoted as saying in the news release.
"The grief the families, friends and loved ones of the victims are facing is unimaginable. Our hearts go out to them. As our community grieves this tragedy, I urge everyone to please watch out for each other. If you are struggling, or if you see someone you know struggling, please make use of the mental health supports available in our community."
In the wake of the tragedy, Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Matthew Shoemaker said on social media, "There are no words to adequately address such a tremendous loss as our community has experienced."
"I extend our community's collective condolences and support to the family and loved ones of the victims. Together, as a community, we stand with them and with our brave first responders," Shoemaker said in a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"We grieve with them as we try to reckon with this inconceivable act of violence. Sault Ste. Marie is a strong and caring community, and I encourage people to look out for one another and offer support during this incredibly challenging time."
Ontario Premier Doug Ford offered his prayers to those affected by the news.
"The news out of Sault Ste. Marie is gut wrenching," Ford said in a post on X.
"This senseless loss of life has left family, friends and an entire community grieving. You are in my prayers. All of Ontario mourns this tragedy."
As the investigation continues, officers remain at both scenes.
Sault Ste. Marie Police Service is investigating at two homes, one on Second Line East (pictured), after intimate partner violence escalated into a shooting rampage that killed five people including three children. Oct. 24/23 (Mike McDonald/CTV Northern Ontario)
GROWING PROBLEM
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is also frequently known as domestic and spousal violence and is a prevalent form of gender-based violence.
The issue has been identified by the World Health Organization as a major public health concern that affects millions of people.
People of all genders, ages, socioeconomic, racial, educational, ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds are affected by intimate partner violence, but women are often targeted by men in this type of violence.
Over the last three years, intimate partner violence occurrences in Sault Ste. Marie have decreased while the number of people charged has increased.
YEAR | CALLS | MEN CHARGED | WOMEN CHARGED |
---|---|---|---|
2020 | 1,673 | 261 | 45 |
2021 | 1,461 | 256 | 41 |
2022 | 1,351 | 279 | 60 |
SUPPORT AVAILABLE
Support is available for people experiencing violence. In an emergency, call 911.
- Assaulted Women's Helpline 1-866-863-0511
- Fem'aide Helpline 1-877-336-2433
- Talk4Healing for Indigenous women 1-855-554-4325
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6977430.1721929538!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
'There's mom and dad's house': New video appears to show destruction of Jasper neighbourhood
Video posted to social media on Thursday morning appears to show the charred remains of a Jasper, Alta., neighbourhood.
LIVE UPDATES Multiple homes, businesses 'lost' to wildfire in Jasper National Park: Parks Canada
Officials from Parks Canada and Jasper say "multiple structures, including a number of businesses and homes, in and around the town of Jasper, have been lost" to wildfire in Jasper National Park.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
Alberta premier says a third, perhaps half, of all Jasper buildings destroyed by fire
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says early reports indicate a third and perhaps up to half of all buildings in the historic Rocky Mountain resort town of Jasper have been destroyed in a wildfire.
Canada to bring home fewest Olympic medals since 2012, according to forecaster
Fewer Canadians are expected to reach the Paris podium than in the previous two Olympic Summer Games, a global data analytics company predicts.
Jennifer Aniston criticizes JD Vance for 'childless cat ladies' remarks: 'I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children'
Jennifer Aniston is criticizing JD Vance for comments he made in his past about women without children.
'Skibidi Toilet:' If you don't know what it is, you will
'Skibidi Toilet' is already an internet sensation and now its about to get even more exposure after the YouTube series is being developed for TV and film, according to a report by Variety.
NASA says no return date yet for astronauts and Boeing capsule at space station
Already more than a month late getting back, two NASA astronauts will remain at the International Space Station until engineers finish working on problems plaguing their Boeing capsule, officials said Thursday.
French sprinter will wear a cap during Olympic opening ceremony after hijab dispute is resolved
French sprinter Sounkamba Sylla will be allowed to participate in the opening ceremony at the Paris Olympics wearing a cap to cover her hair, an agreement reached with the French Olympic Committee after Sylla said she was barred because of her hijab.