Community Safety Alert: Armed Suspects on Snowmobiles in Behchokǫ̀

Section 1: Current RCMP Alert

Behchokǫ̀ RCMP are actively responding to reports of gunfire within the community on May 12, 2026. Officers are investigating an incident believed to involve multiple armed individuals, and at this time, police have not received any reports of injuries related to the gunfire.

Police are currently searching for a group of approximately 5–6 suspects, reportedly carrying long guns and travelling on two snowmobiles, one of which has been described as orange. Preliminary indications from investigators suggest that this was a targeted incident, but until the situation is fully contained, residents are being asked to remain inside, stay away from windows and doors, and follow police directions.

Section 2: Official RCMP Details

Based on the information released by the RCMP in Behchokǫ̀, the following details are confirmed at this time:

• Location: The situation is unfolding within the community of Behchokǫ̀, Northwest Territories.
• Nature of incident: Police are investigating reports of shots fired in the community.
• Suspects: Officers are searching for an estimated 5–6 individuals believed to be armed with long guns.
• Travel method: The suspects are reported to be travelling on two snowmobiles.
• Vehicle description: One of the snowmobiles has been described as orange in colour.
• Injuries: As of this alert, no injuries have been reported to police.
• Investigation status: Early indications from police suggest that this was a targeted attack, though the investigation is ongoing.
• Police presence: Additional RCMP resources have been deployed to Behchokǫ̀, and residents should expect a heightened police presence throughout the area.

Public Safety Instructions

Residents of Behchokǫ̀ are being asked to take the following safety measures until further notice:

• Shelter in place: Stay indoors, secure your doors, and keep away from windows and exterior openings.
• Avoid gathering near active police operations or cordoned-off areas.
• Do not share police locations or movement details on social media or in messaging apps, as this can compromise officer safety and ongoing operations.

Request for Community Assistance

The RCMP are asking for the public’s help in locating the suspects and gathering information about their movements. If you see individuals or snowmobiles matching the description, or if you have any information about their whereabouts, do not approach them yourself.

Instead, contact law enforcement immediately using the following official numbers:

• Behchokǫ̀ RCMP Detachment: 867-392-1111
• Emergency (immediate danger): 911

Members of the CrimeCanada.ca community in and around Behchokǫ̀ are urged to stay alert, follow RCMP directions closely, and share this safety alert with neighbours—especially those who may have limited access to online information.

Section 3: CrimeCanada.ca Safety Perspective

From the perspective of CrimeCanada.ca, incidents involving firearms and armed suspects on the move present an elevated risk not only to the intended targets but to the wider community in the Northwest Territories. Situations like this highlight the importance of rapid information sharing, strict adherence to police instructions, and community-wide cooperation. For those seeking longer-term context on trends in the area, our dedicated page on Behchokǫ̀ crime statistics and safety data offers additional insight into local safety patterns.

In dynamic events involving firearms, the most effective safety steps for residents are to shelter in place, avoid line of sight from windows, keep phones available for urgent alerts, and report suspicious activity immediately using official RCMP contact numbers. By avoiding the sharing of sensitive police location details online and by promptly reporting credible information, community members play a direct role in helping officers resolve the situation safely and protecting their neighbours.

Official Source & Community Safety

This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the northwest-territories community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.

Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.