A Saskatchewan home inspector and avid hunter has been charged with manslaughter and firearm offences in the death of 44-year-old Tanya Myers, a Reiki therapist and "animal whisperer" who was shot while a passenger in a moving vehicle on a highway near Weyburn, Sask., in September.
Christopher Fahlman, 42, was arrested by RCMP in Regina on Saturday, and remains in custody. RCMP say that Mr. Fahlman and Ms. Myers did not know each other.
The shooting happened shortly after 8 p.m. on Sept. 12, as Ms. Myers was travelling on the highway in a Ford Explorer being driven by a female friend. The women were heading toward Weyburn when Ms. Myers was shot. She died at the scene.
A second driver came forward to RCMP the next day, after hearing about the shooting and realizing their vehicle may have been shot at the same time. RCMP say that person was driving a short distance behind the Ford Explorer, and heard two "pops," like rocks hitting a windshield, but didn't see any damage to the window.
When they discovered one of their tires was flat the next day, the person reported it to RCMP, who found the tire had been damaged by a gunshot.
RCMP released information about the shootings on Sept. 13 and Mr. Fahlman shared the police post on his Facebook page, writing: "This is absolutely disgusting ... What is this world coming to!!!!"
In addition to the charge of manslaughter with a firearm, Mr. Fahlman is also charged with one count of careless use of a firearm, one count of carry a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence, and one count of occupying a motor vehicle knowing there is a firearm inside.
At a press conference on Monday, RCMP Inspector Ashley St. Germaine declined to release additional details about the shooting, including whether the shots were fired from inside a vehicle, what kind of firearm was used, or whether Mr. Fahlman was hunting or poaching at the time.
"I can't speak specifically to the evidence that we have that has led to the charge of manslaughter with a firearm along with the three other charges," said Insp. St. Germaine, senior investigative officer with the Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes Branch.
"In order to protect that investigational integrity, along with the court process, I can't speak specifically to what he was doing that day."
Under the Criminal Code of Canada, manslaughter is a homicide that occurs without the intent to kill but may involve an intent to harm or to commit another unlawful act.
In Saskatchewan, it's illegal to shoot across or along a road, carry a loaded firearm in a vehicle or hunt after sunset. Rifle hunting season was not open at the time of the shooting.
Manslaughter with a firearm carries a minimum sentence of four years in prison.
While RCMP would not confirm Mr. Fahlman is the owner of Fahlman Home Inspections, the Fahlman Home Inspections truck and its branding could be seen in online posts that RCMP confirm is legitimate video of Mr. Fahlman's arrest.
Mr. Fahlman was a frequent poster on social media, using the platforms primarily to promote his business, with videos exposing shoddy workmanship and other home inspection issues. On his personal page, he also shared fundraisers, glowing reviews of his business, jokes and memes about hunting, and pictures of himself proudly displaying deer, fowl, fish and other animals he'd hunted.
On the day of the shooting, he shared a meme from the TV series Yellowstone that said, "Teach your children it's okay to disagree with someone, but it is never okay to harm someone else."
In her obituary, Ms. Myers was described as a talented makeup artist, former health care worker, and Reiki Master, who loved animals and was known as both "the baby whisperer" and "the animal whisperer."
"Tanya's generosity, healing abilities, and love of her family will live in our hearts forever and be missed by all," it read.