Woman shot in Paq’tnkek First Nation, N.S., two charged with attempted murder

An RCMP vehicle is pictured on July 3, 2025. (CTV Atlantic / Callum Smith)

Two people have been charged with attempted murder and a third has been charged with assault after a woman was shot during an altercation in Paq’tnkek First Nation, N.S.

Antigonish County District RCMP responded to reports of a dispute on Petow Loop Ext. around 4 p.m. Thursday.

Police learned a 38-year-old woman, who was armed with a knife, had approached a 50-year-old woman walking along the roadway.

“A physical altercation ensued, during which the 50-year-old woman gained control of the knife and stabbed the 38-year-old woman,” said the RCMP in a news release Friday.

“A 40-year-old woman then struck the 50-year-old woman with a blunt object.”

Police say a man then fired a gun, striking the older woman.

The 38-year-old woman and 50-year-old woman were both taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Evelyn Patricia Paul, 38, of Paq’tnkek First Nation has been charged with:

• attempted murder without a firearm
• possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
• two counts of failure to comply with a probation order

Dean Thomas Earl Ross, 38, of Paq’tnkek First Nation has been charged with:

• attempted murder with a firearm
• pointing a firearm
• possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
• unauthorized possession of a firearm
• weapons possession contrary to order and failure to surrender authorization

Sarah Emily Paul, 40, of Paq’tnkek First Nation has been charged with assault with a weapon.

Police are asking anyone with information about the incident, or surveillance video that could assist in the investigation, to contact Antigonish County District RCMP at 902-863-6500.

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