Melville hotel manager says shooting victim was sitting in parked vehicle

An emergency alert was issued Wednesday morning after reports of a shooting death in Melville, and the manager of a local hotel believes the victim was a customer who was sitting in a parked car when they were shot and killed.

The alert, which was issued at 10:35 a.m., said two suspects were believed to be involved, but no descriptions were available. A vehicle that may be connected to the shooting was found abandoned on Highway 10 close to nearby Duff, SaskAlert said. The alert was cancelled just after 1:30 p.m.

The motel in Melville where a shooting occurred Nov. 2, 2022. (Lisa Schick/980 CJME)

Tony Singh, the manager of Melville’s Country Inn at the city’s southwest corner, said he understands the victim was a customer of his hotel who was sitting in a vehicle in the parking lot when the shooting occurred.

He said his front desk staff heard gunshots and called 911 immediately, and police responded quickly. The area where the shooting happened has now been taped off, he said, as officers are investigating.

“I don’t know why somebody (would) come and target this specific person,” Singh said.

Singh said the customer in question was known to him, as they had been staying in the hotel for several months.

Melville Mayor Walter Streelasky said the city took immediate steps after the alert was issued.

“Our staff is in lockdown and, as I understand it, the schools are in a lockdown situation at this point in time,” Streelasky said.

The Good Spirit School Division said its schools in the city were taken off hold and secure just before noon.

Asked if he had a message for the community, Streelasky advised caution.

“I would say keep your doors locked, stay safe, and I know the RCMP are working very hard to apprehend those people that might have been involved in this unfortunate incident,” he said.

One Melville business owner, who declined to give their name, said the first reaction to the alert was fear. The doors of their business were locked, but employees had not left because they were hesitant to make the drive home.

The owner, who said they have lived in the city for more than 50 years, said there have been some issues with crime in Melville before, but it was still shocking to hear about a homicide in the small city.

Police have asked the public to avoid picking up hitchhikers, be cautious of anyone asking for a ride, and to immediately report any stolen vehicles.

“The public should be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to police,” the alert read.