Regina man, 42, charged with manslaughter in Weyburn highway shooting

A 42-year-old Regina man is facing charges in connection with the shooting death of Tanya Myers.

The RCMP said an investigation led to the arrest of Chris Fahlman on Saturday.

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Police said Fahlman has been charged with manslaughter with a firearm, careless use of a firearm, carry a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence, and occupying a motor vehicle knowing there is a firearm inside.

During an appearance at Regina Provincial Court on Monday morning, Fahlman was remanded into custody ahead of another court date on Tuesday.

About eight people who appeared to be supporters of Meyers were present in the courtroom on Monday. Some people in the gallery used tissues to wipe their tears and blow their noses, and bowed their heads as they waited for Fahlman to appear in court via video.

Ashley St. Germaine, an inspector with the Saskatchewan RCMP’s Major Crimes Branch, shared a few more details of the case during a news conference on Monday morning, though she said she couldn’t reveal details of the investigation that led to Fahlman, as the case is now before the courts.

Tanya Myers, 44, was killed in a shooting on Highway 39, near Weyburn, on Sept. 12. (Saskatchewan RCMP/Submitted)

“Tanya’s death left her family, friends and the community mourning,” St. Germaine said.

The RCMP spokesperson said the police force is not seeking any other suspects in connection with the shooting, and police are not aware of “any direct connection” between Fahlman and Myers or the other occupants of the vehicles that were struck by bullets.

Myers’ family has asked for privacy, the RCMP said, but her family members expressed relief upon learning of the charges.

St. Germaine also noted that the charge of carry a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence related to the manslaughter charge Fahlman is facing.

Chantara Wadsworth said she witnessed Fahlman’s arrest while she was driving west on Gordon Road in Regina, shortly after 11 a.m. on Saturday.

She remembered seeing police lights ahead, and said she assumed it was a traffic stop.

“As I got closer, I saw that there were a lot more cops there… This is something bigger than a speeding ticket,” she said in a phone interview with 980 CJME.

As she drove by, Wadsworth said she saw a man with a prominent beard being handcuffed by police officers, and said she saw Fahlman’s name displayed on a truck that was parked nearby.

She said told her friends about the incident later that day.

“My dad, who lives in Weyburn, who has been following the story very closely, sent me an article about his arrest,” she said.

“When I saw the last name and I saw (the arrest) was in Regina, I was like, ‘Oh my God, like, I witnessed that. I’m pretty sure I probably still have dash cam footage of it,” said Wadsworth, who recalled seeing the man with a beard that was “pretty prominent.”

According to the Saskatchewan RCMP, Myers was a passenger in a Ford Explorer SUV that was travelling on Highway 39, about three kilometres northwest of Weyburn, on Sept. 12, when she was struck by a bullet from behind. The 44-year-old woman was declared dead at the scene by paramedics.

Another vehicle travelling in that area was also struck by bullets at around the same time, the RCMP said, leaving a tire deflated.

Andrea Morrice, Myers’ friend and the driver of the SUV at the time of the shooting, recalled hearing a very loud bang. She said she looked over at Myers, who leaned forward and grabbed her chest.

Morrice said she called 9-1-1, but paramedics found Myers without a pulse when they arrived.

“I had to ask again at the police station to confirm I wasn’t daydreaming or that a miracle happened after we left the highway,” Morrice said during a previous interview with the Canadian Press.

“I asked, ‘Is she for sure dead?’ And the answer was, ‘Yes.’”

–with files from The Canadian Press and 980 CJME’s Abby Zieverink