There was a flurry of social media posts on the weekend about two murder suspects from British Columbia possibly being in Moose Jaw, but Saskatchewan RCMP has shot down that rumour.
Several messages were posted to Facebook during the Saskatchewan Day long weekend saying there was a high presence of RCMP officers in the area pulling over motorists and checking vehicles. Specifically, Facebook posters pointed out officers were spotted near the Moose Jaw A&W on Highway 1, near Chamberlain, Central Butte, Marquis, Caronport and the Weyburn turnoff.
The Facebook user who posted the list of locations thought the presence of so many RCMP vehicles indicated they were hunting for the murder suspects, who were last seen in Gillam, Man.
“If the sighting at A&W is confirmed, it’s probably safe to say they are on the move,” the user wrote. “Most likely nowhere near Moose Jaw. However, lots of small towns in (Saskatchewan). So hopefully they get them at a stop! And of course, this could be any number of things. Possibly just check stops.”
There was a traffic check stop near the Highway 1 A&W on the long weekend, part of a combined operations between Moose Jaw RCMP and the provincial traffic services team, said media spokesman Cpl. Rob King. While there were reported sightings of the two murder suspects, police investigated and deemed the tips to be not credible.
“It was not the suspects,” King said. “No one’s been in Moose Jaw.”
Spreading rumours about possibly seeing murder suspects is poor conduct since it can cause panic in the community, he continued. When the RCMP acquires credible information that the two teenagers have been spotted — and that there’s a risk to public safety — the force would put out an official notice.
It’s not possible to dispel every rumour that’s floating across the province and Western Canada about this case, King said. It would be difficult to keep up with them all, while it also causes some people to worry and stress when they don’t need to.
“We still want tips to come in. However, bring them to us. Let us investigate them and determine if they’re credible or not,” he continued. “To have someone go and put it out on Facebook … without bringing it to the police to determine if it’s credible or not, that to me is somewhat irresponsible.”
Anyone with a tip should call 306-310-RCMP. This will put callers in touch with the closest detachment.
