Gunshots rang out at the Muslim cemetery just east of Cochrane off Highway 1A on Friday afternoon March 11. Four men were injured in the shooting which occurred around 3:35 p.m. during a funeral service at the cemetery.
Gunshots rang out at the Muslim cemetery just east of Cochrane off Highway 1A on Friday afternoon March 11.
Four men were injured in the shooting which occurred around 3:35 p.m. during a funeral service at the cemetery. Police arrived at the cemetery to learn that those involved in the shooting had left the area, and the victims were at Calgary-area hospitals being treated for non-life-threatening injuries sustained in the incident. All four victims had been taken to Calgary from Cochrane in personal vehicles by individuals who were at the cemetery prior to police attending the scene.
Investigators are not treating this as a racially motivated or hate crime.
“When police arrived at the cemetery all the parties who had been involved in the incident had already left the scene, ” said RCMP Cpl. Sharon Franks. “We do not believe that this is a random incident. It appears there were friends and family gathering for a funeral at this cemetery when an altercation broke out that (ended) with a gun fight. ”
Witnesses didn't see a vehicle leave the scene but there were complaints of a vehicle travelling eastbound at a high rate of speed around the time of the shooting.
The RCMP are not currently pursuing any vehicles that may be related to the incident, but the investigation is ongoing. There is no immediate danger to the public, but there was a heavy police presence at the entrance to Foothills Hospital in Calgary early in the investigation.
Cochrane RCMP are actively investigating this matter and believe it was not a random occurrence. The investigation has been front-end loaded with members from specialized sections such the RCMP Forensic Investigation Section and the Cochrane General Investigation Section (GIS) in addition to investigators from the Cochrane RCMP detachment. Assistance from the Calgary Police Service is ongoing.
Police are asking that if anyone has information or may have witnessed this incident to call the Cochrane RCMP detachment at 403-851-8000.
