2 men, woman charged with first-degree murder after fatal shooting in Amherst, N.S.

Amherst, N.S., police have charged three people after a fatal shooting earlier this week.

Two people are in custody and one suspect is still at large following the fatal shooting of a man in Amherst, N.S., Monday night.

Police say warrants were issued Thursday morning for the three people believed to be responsible for the death 41-year-old Christopher Leggett.

A man and a woman were arrested by the RCMP in Moncton, N.B.

Sean Eugene Patriquin, 56, and Natasha Deborah Austin, 42, both of Moncton, remain in custody.

Police say they are still looking for 34-year-old Michael James Ryan of Springhill, N.S.

All three have been charged with first-degree murder.

The Amherst Police Department says it has reason to believe Ryan is “actively evading police.”

He is described by the department as having brown hair and blue eyes. He is reportedly five-foot-eight and about 189 pounds.

Police have released a photo of Ryan and say he should not be approached.

‘Loud bang’ heard near homeless shelter

Police received a call about a “loud bang” near a homeless shelter on Prince Arthur Street just before 7 p.m. Monday.

The caller said an injured man was also on the ground.

Officers responded and found Leggett, who appeared to be seriously wounded from a single gunshot wound to his lower back, according to police.

He was pronounced dead in hospital shortly after, police say.

Police said Leggett had been walking on Prince Arthur Street when a dark-coloured Subaru SUV pulled up behind him.

Leggett fell after he was shot and the driver allegedly fled the scene.

Police say, before the shooting, there was an altercation between the suspects and Leggett near the intersection of Prince Arthur and Church streets.

“The victim fled but came back around onto Prince Arthur Street and the suspect vehicle pulled up beside him. The victim ran as an occupant of the vehicle got out and had what appeared to be a long-gun and shot the victim. The suspects then fled in the SUV towards Maple Avenue,” reads a Thursday update from the Amherst Police Department.

Police say the SUV has been seized by Codiac RCMP and the plate had been reported stolen earlier this month from the Moncton area.

The investigation is continuing.

Police are asking anyone with information on the shooting, or the whereabouts of Michael Ryan, to call them at 902-667-8600 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

• READ ALSO: Victim of Amherst shooting identified, police still looking for suspects

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