Police have issued a warning for residents of Ginoogaming First Nation to stay indoors as they hunt for two potentially dangerous suspects who are currently at large in the area. Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Anishinabek Police Service (APS) are actively involved in the search, following a press release issued by OPP at 6 a.m. ET on Wednesday.
The suspects are both described as Black males, with one being taller than the other. The taller suspect is wearing a full grey jogging suit with braided hair, while the shorter one is dressed in black pants and shoes. Residents of Ginoogaming are advised to seek refuge indoors, lock all entry points, and draw their curtains for added safety.
In the event of spotting the suspects, the public is urged to immediately contact 911 and refrain from approaching them. Bill Dickson, the media relations coordinator for OPP, stated that a substantial number of officers from OPP and APS are actively searching for the two individuals and emphasized the importance of residents remaining indoors until further notice.
The search operation was initiated following reports of gunfire in the area around 2 a.m. on Wednesday. Dickson highlighted the deployment of various resources, including frontline officers, the Emergency Response Team, the Tactics and Rescue Unit, and the aviation unit, to expedite the search process.
Local authorities have closed certain facilities and schools as a precautionary measure. Services such as the Friends of the North Daycare, the Seniors Centre, and the Municipal Ward Office in Longlac have been shut down. Additionally, all public and Catholic elementary schools in Longlac and Long Lake #58 First Nation are closed for the day. Confederation College’s Longlac campus has also suspended operations.
Ginoogaming First Nation, located approximately 300 km northeast of Thunder Bay, is the focus of the search operation. Residents are urged to contact OPP at 1-888-310-1122 with any relevant information about the suspects.
