Man dead, woman injured, gun stolen after break-in near Esterhazy

A man is dead and a woman injured after three men broke into a home south of Esterhazy early Friday morning, the RCMP said.

According to police, three men broke into a home about 20 kilometres south of the communities of Stockholm and Esterhazy, and police were called just after 4 a.m.

“Initial investigation has determined three males broke into a residence,” the RCMP said in a statement. “An adult male who lived at the residence was located deceased at the scene by police. His death is considered suspicious.”

A woman was also found injured, the RCMP said, and she was taken to hospital for treatment.

The three men stole at least one gun from the home, the RCMP said, before stealing the homeowner’s vehicle and taking off.

That vehicle was found burning and abandoned on a nearby grid road, police said.

The RCMP said no descriptions of the suspects were available Friday morning, but noted the investigation is still in its early stages.

“We ask the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or information to police immediately by calling 911 or your local RCMP detachment or police service,” the RCMP said.

Schools nearby

After they found out what happened Friday morning, schools in the area were put into hold and secure.

That happens when there’s an external emergency that doesn’t have to do with the school — classes continue inside as normal, but all the doors are locked and monitored.

Macdonald School, PJ Gillen School, Esterhazy High School and Grayson School were all in hold and secure, according to the Good Spirit School Division.

The division was planning to have a meeting at 2 p.m. to review the situation but, as of Friday morning, it was believed that likely wouldn’t impact student transportation in the afternoon. One bus that serves the Round Lake area was cancelled Friday morning.

Nearby Cowessess First Nation posted to its social media channels that its offices, school and daycare doors were locked and wouldn’t be opened for anyone who can’t be identified, while at the same time saying it is not a lockdown.