A 35-year-old man was fatally shot in a targeted attack while inside a car on a rural road in western P.E.I. on Friday night. The perpetrator fled the scene, and as of Monday afternoon, remains at large, according to RCMP officials.
Cpl. Gavin Moore, the media relations officer for P.E.I. RCMP, informed the media that the incident took place on Hackmatack Road near Wellington around 8 p.m. AT on Friday. Police suspect that another vehicle was present during the shooting.
“This type of violence is rare in our province and is deeply concerning. We are treating this case with the utmost seriousness, and significant police resources have been allocated to investigate,” Moore stated. Despite having several leads, law enforcement has not made any arrests yet.
The victim’s identity was not disclosed by Moore. The shooting caused the car, a 2008 Toyota Corolla, to overturn and collide with a utility pole, resulting in the driver’s death. A 50-year-old woman from Summerside, who was a passenger in the vehicle, sustained serious injuries and was transported to Prince County Hospital.
Authorities are also looking into reports of a burned vehicle found in St. Lawrence, near Miminegash, approximately 60 kilometers away from the crime scene. It is believed that this incident may be connected to the shooting.
The RCMP Major Crime Unit is leading the investigation, supported by forensic teams, K-9 units, traffic specialists, and assistance from other local law enforcement agencies and the P.E.I. Coroners Office. Investigators are gathering witness statements, analyzing surveillance footage, and conducting forensic examinations and traffic reconstructions.
Anyone with information related to the shooting is urged to contact Prince District RCMP at 902-853-9300 or 902-436-9300. Confidential tips can be provided to P.E.I. Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
The RCMP emphasized their commitment to ensuring the safety of Islanders and expressed condolences to the victim’s family. Moore highlighted that public safety alerts were not issued due to the targeted nature of the incident and the lack of specific information about the perpetrator’s whereabouts.