Shooting accident injures Pangnirtung youth

RCMP members in Pangnirtung are investigating what appears to be an accidental shooting that left an 18-year-old boy injured.

Two youth were apparently together when one accidentally shot the other with a gun he had found, said RCMP spokesman Cpl. Denis Lambe.

Police say the incident was the result of the “careless use of a firearm.”

The 18-year-old suffered a gunshot wound to his extremities and was medevaced to Iqaluit, where he is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Police recovered the firearm, but no charges have been laid.

As part of their investigation, Lambe said police hope to find out how the shooter found the firearm.

This is the second shooting of a young man in Pangnirtung in as many months.

Nineteen-year-old Danny Ishulutak was shot in his left arm last month while he was waiting for a friend outside a Pangnirtung residence.

A 20-year-old and another 32-year-old man were later charged with with recklessly discharging a firearm.

The shootings may point to an increase in shootings among young men in Nunavut – something the RCMP are currently looking into.

“There’s a concern,” Lambe said.

In a July 13 news release, the RCMP reminded Nunavummiut that firearms are extremely dangerous, and should be treated with care.

“Following some safety rules such as keeping a firearm pointed in a safe direction at all times, and ensuring they are unloaded before being stored are just two very basic rules that, if followed, can keep people safe,” said the release.

Police are also encouraging anyone who has information about the incident to contact the Pangnirtung RCMP at 867-473-0123 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).