It seemed like something out of a horror movie.
But quadriplegic Alexis Shingoose said the terror was all too real.
“He put the gun against my head and he cocked it,” she said of one of two suspects who robbed her on Jan. 2.
Shingoose, who is bedridden after being permanently disabled in a car accident 13 years ago, said she was alone when two men entered her home on the Tootinaowaziibeeng (Valley River) First Nation in western Manitoba.
Her adult son had gone out and left the door unlocked like he always does.
“It was just normal for somebody to stop by,” she said in a telephone interview with APTN News.
“My son would leave the door open all the time; we never thought anything like this would happen. That’s how much our community knows people.”
Shingoose said the thieves stole computer game equipment and drug paraphernalia. And used a gun they took from her son’s room to threaten her.
“I can still feel that gun against my head,” said the 35-year-old.
“I find myself during the day – every day – rubbing that spot where the gun was held.”
RCMP arrested an 18-year-old male but a second man was still at large when Shingoose spoke to APTN earlier in the week.
Barry McKay is chief of the Tootinaowaziibeeng (Valley River) First Nation in western Manitoba.
On Friday RCMP confirmed they arrested the second suspect on the Anishinabe reserve, about a five-hour drive from Winnipeg.
The men were charged with breaking and entering, theft, and weapons offences.
Chief Barry McKay said it was a scary ordeal for Shingoose, whom everyone knows is a vulnerable person who can’t defend herself.
“We’ve got a pretty close-knit community and everybody’s really pissed off about this, and so are (chief and council),” he said via phone.
Shingoose has limited use of her hands and said she tried to grab her phone to call police when the men were in her home.
She said she is still dealing with the psychological impact of what happened.
“I’m still having trouble sleeping,” she said. “I have more than two anxiety attacks a day.”
McKay said the band provides some services to Shingoose. And was willing to do more.
“We do respond to incidents like this,” he said.
“We don’t take them lightly, either.”
Shingoose said she has to change the way she lives now.
“The door has to be locked,” she said, noting that will make her feel even more alone.
It must have been terrifying. The cowards saw an opportunity and took it. Good to know her community is helping. As for the two imbeciles they’ll be sent to jail and hopefully learn disabled are not an easy target. Wish this woman well.
Liliana, I’m getting better. I have PTSD from it. A lot of anxiety and nightmares but I’m strong and I know I can get through this one day at a time.
It must have been terrifying. The cowards saw an opportunity and took it. Good to know her community is helping. As for the two imbeciles they’ll be sent to jail and hopefully learn disabled are not an easy target. Wish this woman well.
Liliana, I’m getting better. I have PTSD from it. A lot of anxiety and nightmares but I’m strong and I know I can get through this one day at a time.
It’s funny that the chief would say that the community doesn’t take this type of behavior “lightly” everyone knew the same day this happened, no one said anything, or did anything. These two individuals did a lot more than this to the community and surrounding communities. Even the drug issues, councilors dealing, etc….this “alliance” as one would say is “family” business. It’s a shame really.
I am getting negative vibes and comments from some people from the community. They’re trying to say its my fault because I left the door open and didn’t have the gun locked up. My own family members didn’t even come check on me or call to see how I am only the few cousins and nephews that usually come over did. How low can you guys go?
It’s funny that the chief would say that the community doesn’t take this type of behavior “lightly” everyone knew the same day this happened, no one said anything, or did anything. These two individuals did a lot more than this to the community and surrounding communities. Even the drug issues, councilors dealing, etc….this “alliance” as one would say is “family” business. It’s a shame really.
I am getting negative vibes and comments from some people from the community. They’re trying to say its my fault because I left the door open and didn’t have the gun locked up. My own family members didn’t even come check on me or call to see how I am only the few cousins and nephews that usually come over did. How low can you guys go?