2 people dead, likely including suspect, after 'shooting incident' in Langham, Sask.: police

Two people are dead, likely including the suspect, following a "shooting incident" that sent a small Saskatchewan town into lockdownFriday morning, RCMP say.

In a news release, RCMP sayofficers found a body in a burnedhome at about 11:40 a.m. in the town of Langham, about 30 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon. They believe it to be Justin Heimbecker, the subject of the alert, though they haven'tconfirmed the identity of the deceased.

The house had been set aflame earlier on Friday, police said.

The emergency alert, which began at 7:40 a.m. and ended at 12:05 p.m. CST, had warned the public of a dangerous, armed suspect at large, and urged themto lock their doors and windows, and shelter in place. Thealert was issued toresidents of Langhamand the surrounding areas, including Saskatoon, Prince Albert and North Battleford.

"It's a sad day in Langham: Two families have been ripped apart," saidMayor Gary Epp, who offered his thoughts and prayers to the families."The first responders and RCMPthat's probably not the greatest day they've had, either."

During the alert, Saskatchewan Highway Patrol officers had blocked off roadsin the area, and were checking people's trunks on their way in and out. Police were also warning drivers not to pick up any hitchhikers.

EarlierFriday, Coun. Carol Epp said it was unclear whatwas happening in her town.

"We're staying inside so we haven't been out. We have seen police cars go by, we've heard sirens,but that's it," Epp said before the alert was lifted. "There's a thousand things on Facebook but no one seems to know."

Mitch Deschambeault, owner of Three Bean Cafe, said during the alert he"kinda peeked out my door when I first got the warning, but I haven't seen anyone."

"I think everyone has already locked themselves in and everything. We decided not to open the doors, obviously, so I'm just kind of waiting to see more information."

RCMP spokesperson Mandy Maiertold CBCNews the major crimes unit is in the early stages of an investigation.

She said that between 7:46 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Fridaythe RCMP divisional operational communication centrereceived 20 calls from the public with information about this incident.

"Any time an incident like this occurs, there is high anxiety within a community. There's lots of questions. People looking for information. Our investigators are working hard to find out what happened," Maier said.