By Angelica Ingram

An incident that occurred just east of Haliburton on Sunday night left one man dead and another in hospital with a gunshot wound.

On Aug. 16 Haliburton OPP responded to a residence on Highway 118 after receiving a complaint of what sounded like a firearm being discharged according to a media release.

Shortly before 6 p.m. OPP officers arrived to find one man deceased and later found another man believed to have been involved in the incident suffering from a gunshot wound.

OPP took the man to hospital to be treated for his injuries which are unknown at this time. “There are no outstanding suspects in this case and there is no threat to public safety at this time” says the release.

The names of the two men had not been released as of Aug. 17.

“At this point we’re still investigating obviously” said provincial Const. Martin Hachey media relations officer for Collingwood and the Blue Mountains. “Next of kin notification certainly needs to be done … and when it becomes available further details will be released.”

Hachey could not comment if there were more individuals involved. He could also not comment on if it was drug related.

Highway 118 was closed for many hours before being reopened.

Neighbours told the Echo they could not comment on the incident as they had been asked by police to not share information with the media as the investigation is ongoing.

The investigation is continuing under the direction of OPP detective inspector Rob Hagerman of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch with assistance from the OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit OPP Emergency Response Team and the OPP Forensic Identification Services Unit.

Police are looking for any information the public may have regarding the incident. “Really any details related to the investigation in general” said Hachey.

“If anyone has information they can certainly give us or Crime Stoppers a call.”

The Haliburton Highlands OPP can be reached at 705-457-1460. The number for Crime Stoppers is 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477). Information can also be submitted online at www.crimestopperssdm.com.