RCMP are saying Saturday's shootings in Fort Providence are linked to the drug trade.

One person was killed and two others were wounded after the overnight incident Saturday in the community.

Police say they first got the call at around 12:45 a.m. after reports of a shooting at a home in the hamlet. When officers arrived, they found one person already deceased and two other people injured. The wounded were taken to the health centre for treatment. The surviving victims are now in hospital with one in serious condition and the other in stable condition.

It's believed the suspect in this case has fled the territory, according to a Monday afternoon release from RCMP. RCMP spokesperson Const. Josh Seaward told 快盈v3 on Monday that there is still no description of the suspect nor have they been identified.

The Major Crimes Unit is investigating along with the Office of the Chief Coroner. They're getting help from RCMP K Division from Alberta and G Division Forensic Identification Services as well as G Division Police Dog Services. Additional officers have also been brought into Fort Providence from neighbouring communities.

Susan Christie, the community's senior administrative officer, as saying an RCMP officer called to inform her what had happened at around 1 a.m. Saturday morning. 

Linda Croft, a hamlet councillor in Fort Providence, posted on social media that something "awful" has happened in the community with multiple people being reported shot. She also noted that there was a possibility of the shooters still being in town, but that hasn't been confirmed.

Dehcho MLA Sheryl Yakeleya, whose constituency includes Fort Providence, sent a message online just before 10 a.m. urging residents to keep their doors locked and tell family to do the same until everything was resolved.

The NWT Health and Social Services Authority is offering counselling and mental health support for those who require it. In-person mental health appointments started on Monday at the community's health centre.

A full range of services is available at the authority's website: www.nthssa.ca.

If you have any details that can help police, you're asked to call Fort Providence RCMP at 867-699-1111 or submit a tip online to Crime Stoppers at p3tips.com. If it's an emergency, call 911.