Social media users warned over shooting comments

BIGGAR, Sask. — Mounties in Saskatchewan have warned that some social media comments could be criminal in the wake of a fatal shooting of an aboriginal man on a farm this month.

RCMP issued a statement on Saturday saying officers were monitoring the situation related to events in Biggar, where the shooting occurred.

Police said the social media comments are concerning, and they asked people to “remain respectful” in their online communication.

Colten Boushie, 22, died on Aug. 10 after the vehicle he was in drove onto a farm.

Gerald Stanley has pleaded not guilty to a charge of seconddegree murder in connection with the incident and was freed on Friday on $10,000 bail.

The police statement did not mention whether police have received any complaints about online comments. Calls to the RCMP were not returned.

“We can assure that the safety and security of the people of Saskatchewan is our No. 1 priority,” the police statement said.

“We take all complaints very seriously and we encourage anyone with concerns to contact [police].

“We will not have anyone available for media interviews.”

Last weekend, Premier Brad Wall took to Facebook to condemn some of the social media discussion of the case, calling comments he had seen online “racist and hate-filled.”

Some comments on social media sites have been anti-First Nation, while others have supported vigilante justice against the suspect.

They continued following the bail decision.

Wall warned there could be repercussions for the people who post the hate-filled comments.

“There are laws that protect citizens from what this kind of hate may foment. They will be enforced,” Wall wrote on Facebook last week.