Two adult males are deceased after a shooting incident on Friday, July 8, 2022, in the community of Langham, SK.
Given the issuance of an emergency alert and public search for the suspect, Saskatchewan RCMP is confirming the identity of the deceased person located inside a residence in Langham on July 8, 2022, as 46-year-old Justin Heimbecker of Langham, SK. This was determined by RCMP Major Crimes investigators and the Saskatchewan Coroner's Service.
Investigators further determined Justin Heimbecker was located inside his residence.
RCMP Major Crimes continue to investigate this apparent homicide-suicide. No arrests were made by the Saskatchewan RCMP on July 8, 2022, and investigators are not searching for any other people in relation to this investigation. No other injuries were reported to police in relation to this incident. The suspicious fire related to this incident is being investigating by the Office of the Fire Commissioner.
Saskatchewan RCMP will not be releasing the name of the first deceased male as there will be no court process associated to this investigation. The victim has been identified as a 38-year-old male from Langham, SK. The victim and the accused were known to each other and were not related.
We can provide the following details about the incident:
On July 8, 2022, Warman RCMP received a report of a person uttering threats. While responding to this report, police officers received further reports of a shooting outside a residence on Kyle Street in Langham, Saskatchewan, and a house fire on the same street.
A 38-year-old male victim was located deceased outside one of the residences on that street. Local fire services responded to assist with putting out the fire.
As a result of continued investigation and in response to potential imminent risk to public safety, a dangerous person alert was issued at 7:40 a.m. by Saskatchewan RCMP to residents of Langham and surrounding areas, including Saskatoon, Prince Albert and North Battleford. The alert was issued to the selected locations in part due to the unknown whereabouts and unknown mode of transportation of the suspect. The alert advised the public of the incident and provided them directions to follow in order to maintain their safety.
Shortly after 9 a.m., the Saskatchewan RCMP issued an update to the emergency alert identifying the suspect as Justin Heimbecker. At that time, his burning house was inaccessible for safety reasons and his whereabouts were still unknown.
The direction to the public remained the same and Saskatchewan RCMP Police Dog Services and the RCMP Critical Incident Response Team searched neighboring properties and outbuildings for any signs of the suspect.
The fire was put out and, with the guidance of fire services, Saskatchewan RCMP officers were able to enter the partially-burnt residence. Around 11:40 a.m., an adult male was located deceased by RCMP officers inside the residence in Langham. At noon, the dangerous person alert was cancelled and the public was notified that there was no longer a risk to their safety.
The Saskatchewan RCMP thanks the public for their vigilance, tips reported to police and for following police direction during this unfolding incident as well as our news partners for their coverage, especially on a day when network outages were impacting the work of some.
Any time there is a loss of life, it is traumatic for the loved ones and communities of those who have lost their lives, as well as for first responders. Our thoughts go out to all those impacted by this tragedy.
A number of policing partners assisted in the initial response to this incident. Saskatchewan RCMP thanks Warman RCMP, the other responding RCMP Detachments, Saskatchewan RCMP Police Dog Services, the Saskatchewan RCMP Critical Incident Response Team, the Saskatoon Police Service, Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan, the Dalmeny Police Service, the Corman Park Police Service, Saskatchewan Highway Patrol Officers and Conservation Officers with the Provincial Protective Services Branch, the Medavie Ambulance Service, Langham, Dalmeny and Warman Fire Departments as well as the Saskatchewan Coroner's Service for their assistance.