Two individuals remain in custody while authorities continue the search for a third suspect in the fatal shooting of 41-year-old Christopher Leggett in Amherst, N.S., on Monday night. Warrants issued Thursday morning charge the three with first-degree murder.
Arrests and Charges
RCMP officers arrested Sean Eugene Patriquin, 56, and Natasha Deborah Austin, 42, both from Moncton, N.B. Amherst police indicate they actively pursue 34-year-old Michael James Ryan from Springhill, N.S., who evades capture.
Suspect Description
Ryan features brown hair, blue eyes, stands five-foot-eight, and weighs approximately 189 pounds. Authorities released his photo and warn the public not to approach him.
Shooting Details
Police responded to reports of a loud bang near a homeless shelter on Prince Arthur Street just before 7 p.m. Monday. Responders found Leggett suffering from a single gunshot wound to his lower back. He succumbed to injuries in hospital shortly after.
Investigators state Leggett walked along Prince Arthur Street when a dark-coloured Subaru SUV approached from behind. An earlier altercation occurred near the intersection of Prince Arthur and Church streets. Leggett fled but returned to Prince Arthur Street, where an occupant exited the vehicle with what appeared to be a long gun and fired. The suspects then fled in the SUV toward Maple Avenue.
Vehicle and Investigation
Codiac RCMP seized the SUV, which bore a plate reported stolen from the Moncton area earlier this month. The probe continues.
Anyone with information on the shooting or Ryan’s whereabouts should contact Amherst police at 902-667-8600 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
