RCMP continue probe of double shooting in cottage country

RCMP have interviewed the owner of the property where a fatal shooting claimed the lives of two people in the Rural Municipality of Victoria Beach on Friday, the Free Press has learned.

Earlier in the day, police spoke to several people but declined to provide additional details, stating only that the investigation is ongoing and no suspects are currently in custody.

It’s unclear if police know yet who they are searching for, as it’s not believed the property owner was home at the time of the shooting.

Police discovered the bodies of a 41-year-old local woman, identified by residents and on social media as Melissa Julie Wilson, and a 29-year-old Winnipeg man, near one of the buildings on the property after they received a report about possible gunshots on Hampton Road at about 2 a.m. The site is about 100 kilometres north of Winnipeg.

RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Paul Manaigre said Friday police believe the shootings were targeted, and that there was no further threat to the public.

Police said they were searching for a “person of interest” in a white pickup truck that was seen driving southbound on Highway 59 after the shooting, but gave no other details.

“It’s so quiet and peaceful around here,” said one neighbour, who has lived in a lakefront property for 20 years. “We do think there was a lot of drug activity there, but we don’t know for sure. We know the owner. I don’t think they would have done it.”

Another neighbour, who has lived in the area for years, said he knew one of the people who lived at the home.

“If there was trouble coming from this neighbourhood, you knew where to look,” they said. “There’s a long history.”

Another said it was “only a matter of time” before something happened at the property, which had at least two buildings on it.

Few said they were concerned about their safety, agreeing with police that the slaying was linked to the property.

Neighbours described the residence as “run down” and “needing cleaning.”

Police were stationed along Hampton Road for much of the day on Friday as police vehicles came and went. Later in the afternoon, an animal control officer came to take in a small dog from the property.

Hampton Road is located at the northeast end of a peninsula, in the RM. An area filled with cottages and restricted to vehicle traffic from late June until Labour Day is located to the southwest.

scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca