People in the downtown area may have been surprised recently by the Clearwater crescent raid in Fort MacMurray. The event took place on Thursday morning, and the raid was associated with the recent spate of shootings in the area. At approximately 10 am Thursday morning roughly a dozen officers who were heavily armed swarmed the Clearwater Crescent apartment complex, and police vehicles blocked access so that no one could enter the apartments during the raid. Many of the officers involved had carbine rifles, and they were wearing camouflage clothing and body armor. Around 30 minutes after the raid started 3 individuals were removed from the apartments and taken away in police vehicles. Another individual was taken from the apartments and placed in an ambulance.

The provincial RCMP detachment spokesperson could not confirm whether anyone was arrested during the Clearwater Crescent raid in Fort MacMurray, and she explained that people may be transported in a police vehicle without being placed under arrest. A news release from the RCMP stated that the police were not able to share operation details right now. RCMP Sgt. Josée Valiquette did say “However, we can say that the situation is under control and there is no concern for public safety.” In the last few months there have been a number of shootings downtown, and two were at the Clerwater Crescent apartments. Two additional shootings took place at the Morris Centre and Richmond Street. On May 16 one man was shot and killed at the apartments. On May 26, just 10 days later, another shooting at the same location caused injuries that proved fatal as well.