Pimicikamak Cree Nation under lockdown after gunshots fired, 1 person dead: chief

Pimicikamak Cree Nation under lockdown after gunshots fired, 1 person dead: chief

Pimicikamak Cree Nation in northern Manitoba went into lockdown early Saturday morning after gunshots were fired and one person died.

Chief David Monias said in a statement posted to social media in the early morning hours that the situation is ongoing and RCMP's major crimes unit is investigating.

Residents of the First Nation, located about 530 kilometres north of Winnipeg, were asked to stay inside their homes and lock all doors and windows. Monias said community members shouldn't open their doors to people they don't know and children shouldn't be allowed to play outside or wander unsupervised.

All Treaty and Indian Days gatherings and events have been cancelled until further notice, Monias said.

The chief asked residents to cooperate with police and report any suspicious activity to RCMP at 204-676-2345 or 911 in an emergency. Don't share rumours or unconfirmed information on social media, he warned.

"We just want everybody to be safe and to cooperate," Monias said in a separate video message posted to social media.

"Your safety is our top priority. The lockdown is a precautionary measure to protect every member of our community while police conduct their investigation," he said.

Pimicikamak leadership will provide further updates when they have more information from police, he said.

CBC News reached out to RCMP and Monias on Saturday.