Two teenage murder suspects from Port Alberni are still on the lam after RCMP in Manitoba say they were unable to substantiate a tip of them being spotted in York Landing, MB.
RCMP will now continue their search of Gillam and York Landing, and in the meantime ask that the community remain vigilant.
After a thorough & exhaustive search, #rcmpmb has not been able to substantiate the tip in York Landing. RCMP resources will continue to be in the York Landing & Gillam areas.
We thank the community for their patience & understanding & ask them to continue to be vigilant.
— RCMP Manitoba (@rcmpmb) July 29, 2019
At approximately 5 p.m. on Sunday evening, police received a tip that two males matching the description of the wanted suspects were seen in York Landing.
Based on that information, RCMP deployed multiple resources to the community, including the Emergency Response Team, Police Dog Services, Containment Team members, Major Crime Services and Air Services assets.
The teams conducted a search throughout the night and during the day but were unable to verify the tip.
Background
The two small communities of Gillam and York Landing, MB have been in the media spotlight over the past few days as the probable area in which 19-year-old Kam McLeod and 18-year-old Bryer Schmegelsky are hiding out.
McLeod and Schmegelsky have been charged with second degree murder in the death of 64-year-old University of British Columbia lecturer Leonard Dyck.
His body was found on July 19th at a pullout on Highway 37 in Northern BC.
The two teenagers are also suspects in the deaths of 25-year-old Chynna Deese and 23-year-old Lucas Robertson who were found shot and killed on the side of the highway near Liard Hot Springs on July 15th, approximately 470 kilometres away from where the boys’ car was found.
Kam McLeod is described as:
- 6 foot 4
- Approximately 169 pounds
- Dark brown hair and facial hair
- Brown eyes
Bryer Schmegelsky is described as:
- 6 foot 4
- Approximately 169 pounds
- Sandy brown hair
While photos of the two teens have been released, police say that the pair may have altered their appearance.
All hands on deck
The search for the pair has been focused in and around Gillam, MB and RCMP say they have completed their canvass of Fox Lake Cree Nation.
“In the areas surrounding Gillam, officers are searching cottages, cabins, waterways, and along the rail line for any signs of the suspects. This search of remote areas is being conducted both on foot and in the air,” said RCMP in a statement on Sunday.
“The Royal Canadian Air Force began their assistance with the search on July 27 and will continue to provide assistance throughout the day.”
Police are also aware that many tips of sightings have been posted to social media in the last few days and not directly reported to police.
In their statement, RCMP explain that if these social media tips are valid, it can create a substantial delay in the response by police and be detrimental to the overall investigation.
Anyone who sees the pair is asked not to approach them and to call 911 immediately.
Otherwise, anyone with information on McLeod and Schmegelsky is asked to contact the RCMP Major Crime Tipline at 1-877-543-4822, or 778-290-5291.
