Sask. RCMP say another vehicle was damaged by gunfire near Weyburn

Highway 39 northwest of Weyburn, Sask. (Sierra D'Souza Butts/CTV News)

Officers investigating a fatal shooting just outside of Weyburn now say a second vehicle in that area was damaged by gunfire late last week.

In an update issued Tuesday morning, the Saskatchewan RCMP reported a member of the public contacted police over the weekend once they discovered their vehicle had been damaged.

The second driver had been travelling on Highway 39 just outside of Weyburn at around 8 p.m. on Sept. 12 – the same time a black Ford Explorer in the area was hit by a gunshot which ultimately led to the death of its passenger – a 44-year-old woman from Weyburn.

• Download the CTV News app to get breaking news alerts sent to your device

According to RCMP, the driver, who may have been travelling ahead of the SUV involved in the fatal shooting, reported hearing two distinct “pops” that sounded like rocks hitting their windshield. There was no damage to any of the vehicle’s windows.

The driver noticed their tire was flat the following day. RCMP said the resident did not know if there was any connection to the ongoing police investigation – but nonetheless wanted to report it due to the timing.

The vehicle’s tire was examined Monday, with police determining the tire was damaged by a gunshot. Investigators also confirmed the vehicle was travelling closely behind the shooting victim’s Ford Explorer and passed it as they continued on to Weyburn.

RCMP explained the driver was unaware of the shooting on Sept. 12 and reported no injuries to police – adding the driver also did not know the occupants of the Ford Explorer.

RCMP initially announced its investigation into a suspicious death just outside of Weyburn on Sept. 13. Since then, numerous updates have been shared by the police service as investigators worked to identify several vehicles that had been travelling through the area around the time of the shooting.

On Monday, Insp. Ashley St. Germaine of the RCMP’s major crimes unit in Saskatchewan, called on anyone that may have been in the area of the shooting on Sept. 12 to come forward to police.

“Maybe you were hunting or target shooting, or perhaps you were with or know someone who was. Perhaps you recall a passing a vehicle on that road around 8:00 p.m. Maybe you have vehicle dash cam footage from traveling Highway #39 that night,” she said.

“Please give our investigators a call to assist us in getting answers for the victim’s family and community.”

As of 8 a.m. Tuesday, the investigation into the suspicious death continues.