It’s been a week since news of the tragic death of three individuals in the community of Huntsville became known.
Police and Special Investigations Unit vehicles were no longer present on Saturday, November 2. Parts of Highview Drive previously cordoned off had reopened, but the home at 346 Highview Drive remained cordoned off by police tape—a stark reminder of the tragedy that had unfolded there just a week before. The windows and door and part of the garage of the home were boarded up, which, according to area residents, were damaged with bullet holes, and a single, solitary vehicle is still parked in the driveway.
Preliminary information released by authorities suggests the two-day incident involving police began on the night of Friday, October 25, with a call to the OPP from a resident noting gunshots could be heard in the Highview Drive area. According to the Special Investigations Unit, which was called in to investigate, shortly after at approximately 9 p.m., Huntsville OPP Detachment reported receiving a call from a male who advised that he had harmed two family members inside the Highview Drive home and that he was in possession of weapons.
Huntsville OPP sent a response team, which included crisis negotiators. They established a perimeter around the home and had open communication with the 52-year-old man on the phone. At some point, the communication stopped, and according to the SIU, police sent a drone into the residence to assess the situation and discovered the deceased bodies of two women and one man in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Their identities have not been released, nor have their relationship with one another. Neighbours seem to think the two women were mother and daughter. The daughter was described as being in her late 50s or early 60s and could, on occasion, be seen walking a small dog on the road. They say they seldomly saw the elderly mother, and the male, who they believe was the brother and son of the two women, could be seen mowing the lawn or in the garage. It is not clear whether he lived in the home with the two women, but one resident seemed to recall seeing him at the house when the women moved in about a year ago.
During the incident, sometime between Friday night and the early hours of Saturday morning, the Huntsville Lake of Bays Fire Department received a call requesting their assistance with a suspected gas leak on Highview Drive. Residents believe the man, who had barricaded himself in the house, also shot at the house across the road because he believed the neighbour was spying on him, but neighbours say the house was under renovation and empty at the time of the incident. They believe he may have hit a gas line in the process, although that information has not been confirmed.
“We were called out for a suspected gas leak, and Enbridge assisted in turning it off. The fire department was not required,” confirmed Steve Markham, public education, media, and fire prevention officer with the department via email correspondence with Doppler.
Residents in the immediate vicinity say they were alerted to the fact that something was wrong by either the sounds of gunshots or friends and family texting asking if they were alright. None reported hearing shouts.
More details about the tragic incident may be released when the SIU releases its findings. The SIU is an independent agency that investigates police conduct in incidents that result in death, serious injury, the discharge of a firearm, or allegations of sexual assault. All inquiries are being directed to the SIU by the police detachment.
Overall, neighbours described the family residing at the Highview Drive home as quiet. They say they kept to themselves, and the house was well looked after. Residents who can see the home’s yard also said they never saw its occupants outside. The house was sold by its previous owners about a year ago.
Don’t miss out on Doppler!
Sign up here to receive our email digest with links to our most recent stories.
Local news in your inbox so you don’t miss anything!
Click here to support local news
Join the discussion: