RCMP have closed a part of Hwy 12 near Coronation and are tracking a man on foot after a woman was shot in Stettler this morning.
Four area schools are in lockdown and police are warning people to stay away from the area as the man is considered armed and dangerous.
The woman has been transported by STARS Air Ambulance to Foothills Hospital in Calgary. Her condition is unknown.
Hwy 12 between Coronation and Hwy 36 has been closed.
Schools in lockdown are in Byemoor, Brownfield, Castor and Coronation. Clearview Public Schools say the lockdown is just a precaution.
At approximately 9 a.m. Stettler RCMP responded to a complaint of a shot being fired at a woman who was allegedly walking along a roadway in Stettler.
Police say a suspect was located but subsequently fled from responding officers. A man has now been contained in a rural area off of Hwy 12 between Coronation and Castor.
“This means we know about what area he is in,” said K Division communications liaison Doris Stapleton. She said officers are staking out the area.
The Emergency Response Team along with police dog services are on scene.
Stapleton said the woman has been transported to STARS Air Ambulance. She was not aware where the woman was at the time she was shot.
Police are warning the public and the media to stay away from the area as it is believed the suspect is armed and dangerous.
A man who lives on an acreage on Hwy 12, east of Stettler, said this morning that he saw a dozen or so speeding police cars and trucks headed east on the highway just after 10 a.m.
“They were just giving’ her,” he said.
“It was kind of unusual.”
He says about five of the vehicles looked to be local police vehicles and about another four were white and blue Suburban-type vehicles.
“You can tell when they are in a hurry because we are on a steep curve where we live and they weren’t slowing down for it,” he said.
"It is certainly sad and unfortunate. I hope that woman is OK."
It is unknown when the highway will be re-opened at this time.
More details will be released as they become available.