First Nation reeling after deaths of three members

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Montreal Lake Cree Nation Chief Ritchie Bird said the community is "saddened and shocked" by the shooting deaths of three community members in the early morning hours of March 2.

The victims-one woman and two men-have been identified as 19-year-old Farro Bird, 27-year-old Greg Naytowhow and 19-year-old Kerry Naytowhow. Their bodies were found at three separate locations in the community when RCMP went to investigate reports of shots being fired at around 7:30 a.m.

A 17-year-old male from Montreal Lake has been taken into custody in connection with the death and faces three counts of first degree murder. He had his first court appearance on the charges on March 3 and is scheduled to be back in court in Prince Albert on March 15.

The police investigation into the deaths is continuing, with Waskesiu and Montreal Lake RCMP receiving assistance from the RCMP Major Crimes unit from Saskatoon, RCMP Joint Forces from Prince Albert and forensic identification units

"We as a community are struggling to come to terms with the situation," Bird said in a prepared statement. "To assist the families and community during this difficult time, we are providing grief and trauma counselling to the community members. Band members, Elders, youth and our council are working together by providing each other moral support and support to the families impacted."