Police say suspects are still at large

Blake Ellis/Local Journalism Initiative

Dane Nisbet has been identified as the Sarnia man who died in the Lambton College shooting.

The 20 year-old, a student at Lambton College’s Fire School, is a noted junior hockey player.

He was one of three men injured in the shooting at 1 am Friday on the patio of the college’s pub, The Lion’s Den.

“We continue to actively investigate this shooting as a homicide,” said Sarnia Police Deputy Chief Mike Van Sickle, at a press conference held shortly after 11 am.

Police said all available patrol cars were immediately dispatched to the scene. The emergency response team and the canine unit also conducted an extensive search of the college building and surrounding area.

“All of our investigative resources are working to identify the suspects and bring them to justice,” said Van Sickle.

No arrests have been made yet and no weapons have been recovered.

The suspects fled the scene before police arrived. It is not known whether they were on foot or in a vehicle.

The college was hosting a student council social event that was open to the public in the college’s pub, The Lions’ Den, at the time of the shooting. “Through the information we have received, this is nothing to indicate this incident targeted Lambton College or the general crowd in attendance,” said Van Sickle.

When asked if there was a risk to public safety since the suspects are not in custody, Van Sickle said, “It is difficult to say if yes there is or no there is not…It depends on the activities of the suspects at the
time.”

Currently investigators are at the scene and are expected to remain for an extended period of time.

Police indicated that the victims knew each other but police were not ready to say what the relationship between the victims and the potential suspects might be.

Several witness interviews have already been completed. There may have been some witnesses who left the scene before police arrived. If anyone has information and has not yet spoken to police, contact investigators at 519-344-8861.

Meantime, friends and family offered tributes to Nisbet online. “You will be remembered to most as a talented hockey player but to me you will always be one of the other innocent babies that grew up alongside my daughter in our grandma’s backyard you were genuinely a great kid and you had such a future ahead of you.. you didn’t deserve this at all,” said his cousin Sarah Rogers in a social media post.

The hockey world is also reacting. Nisbet, who played for the North Middlesex Stars this season, was a member of the The Sarnia Legionnaires, the Lambton Jr. Sting U18’s and the Mooretown Flags.

“The Mooretown Flags are saddened at the tragic loss of life of former Flag Dane Nisbet. This situation is impacting so many in our community and our hearts go out to all being impacted,” the club wrote in an online post.

“This loss is a profound tragedy. We extend our deepest condolences to Dane’s family, loved ones and friends and to everyone affected by this staggering loss.”

“From the Blenheim Blades to the Mooretown Flags, Dane’s family and friends, we send our heartfelt condolences,” Blades management wrote online. “The hockey world is truly a small one, and moments like this remind us how connected we are.”

Nisbet was a Lambton College student, attending the facility’s Fire School.

In his LinkedIn profile, Nisbet said; “Im dedicated to everything I do, always putting in the effort to ensure that I’m doing my best.”