3 people found dead in Lloydminster were murdered, RCMP say

The discovery of three people found dead in a Lloydminster home Wednesday is being investigated as a triple homicide.

At a news conference Thursday, Insp. Brian Nicholl,detachment commander of the Lloydminster RCMP,said the investigation beganafter police were called for a well-being check around 6 p.m. MT.

Officers discovered the bodies of three people inside.

Investigators continue to gather evidence at the scene, Nichollsaid.

"There is no immediate concern for public safety. While I understand seeing more police presence can cause concern for folks, this is because we have people diligently working hard to solve this crime," he said.

"They are here to providea swift resolutionto these murders."

Nicholl declined to name the victims or provide any identifying details. But CBC News spoke with people familiar with the home, who say a father and his two adult sons lived there.

The killings appear to be targeted and isolated, Nicholl said,stressingthatthere is no risk to public safety.

He declined to comment on manner of death, a possible motive or any potential link between the victims.

"We believe this is a targeted incident that somebody came to this location, or some peoplecame to this locationspecifically," Nicholl said.

Autopsies will be conducted over the next two days, he said.

Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbersacknowledged there is crime in the community, but a triple homicide is shocking.

"Lloydminster is not known for matters like this," Aalberstold CBC News.

"We have crime. I don't think anybody will deny that But this is a totally different matter."

Nicholland Aalberseachoffered condolences to the family and friends of the victims.

WATCH |3 people found dead in Lloydminster were murdered, RCMP say:

Sask. RCMP launch homicide investigation after 3 found dead in home

5 days ago

Duration 1:26

RCMP in Lloydminster, Sask., say the discovery of three bodies found in a home on Wednesday is now being investigated as a triple homicide. They say the killings appear to be targeted and stress that there is no risk to public safety.

"This is a profound loss of life for their family and for the wider community," Nichollsaid.

The investigation is in its infancy, he said,urginganyone with information about the crime to contact investigators.

In a statement Thursday, RCMP said the Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit is leading the investigation.

In an advisory at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, RCMPsaid they were responding to an unfolding incidentand advised of a heavy police presence in the city's core.

As of Thursday afternoon, investigators remained at the scenein the area of50thStreet and 47thAvenue, a few blocks east of the Alberta-Saskatchewan border that cutsthroughLloydminster's downtown.

Yellow police tape surroundeda small green bungalowflanked by overgrown trees. Investigators have been seen carrying plastic totes out of the home's front door.

Officers wearing blue medical gloves, with their shoes covered in white disposable boots, walked through the homes front yard and searched the grass outside with metal detectors.

RCMPsaid Thursday that the police presence will remain around the house as "expert investigators" from Alberta and Saskatchewan work the case.