BEATRICE RESIDENTS ‘SHOCKED’ AFTER THREE PEOPLE NOW DEAD AFTER FRIDAY’S SHOOTING IN BUCOLIC HAMLET WHERE ‘WONDERFUL’ GRAY FAMILY ‘ARE EVERYWHERE’
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
BEATRICE — Bails of hay glisten in the Sunday afternoon sun along bucolic Beatrice Town Line Road.
Where generations of Grays have farmed they belie the upsetting and tearful tragedy of a tight knit community in mourning and reeling from the deaths of three people.
About a half dozen farms are owned by those in the Gray family and almost a dozen others are owned by descendents or relatives.
So the “shock” from Friday’s fire and fatality was compounded this afternoon when the OPP said two more people had been located inside the residence on Beatrice Town Line Road, in Bracebridge, as a result of their ongoing death and police “arson” investigation.
This after a 911 call Aug. 1 reporting of gunfire at 1491 Beatrice Town Line Road.
When emergency services arrived police discovered a deceased male and found the residence fully engulfed in flames.
OPP emergency services issued a shelter in place for the hamlet northwest of Bracebridge as they initiated a search for a suspect.
They say Mitchell Gray, 29, of Bracebridge, is wanted for murder. He is described as a white male, 5-foot-8, with light brown hair and facial hair.
Investigators believe there is no threat to public safety at this time.
Following further investigation, police confirmed today that two additional deceased individuals were located within the residence, which was destroyed by fire.
Their identities cannot be confirmed until a post-mortem examination is conducted, said police.
The ongoing investigation is being led by the Bracebridge OPP Crime Unit, under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch, and in collaboration with the Office of the Chief Coroner, the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service and the Office of the Fire Marshal.
An OFM supervisor was still on the scene earlier this afternoon wrapping up the onsite investigation. Two additional OFM members completed their work this morning and had left the farm property after arriving Saturday.
Jennifer Woodcroft said “their investigation continues,” but that they have not declared it an arson.
She said the OFM will now turn over the site to police to continue their investigation of the burnt residence.
The Beatrice road was opened around noon Sunday after only allowing residents in following Friday night’s shooting and fire.
Beatrice residents remain concerned and welcomed the latest police update as they said they knew little and what they did know they were reluctant to share out of respect for the Grays.
“Everybody here is in shock,” said one community member who asked not to be identified after sheltering “in our basement.
“They’re a lovely family. It’s pretty awful for the them to deal with. Very sad.”
Gray had three older sisters. He’s the youngest in the family.
His grandfather, Ken Gray, the patriarch of the family, died June 5 working the family farm to the end.
His wife Ellen, who lives across the road from the crime scene, didn’t want to talk today.
Other community members remain a little confused after police told residents “they weren’t in danger, but be vigilant. But that’s not the same thing,” they said.
“So sure we’re nervous.”
Many residens said they saw flames from the house fire and police helicopters combing back and forth over the farms at dusk Friday.
And that police did check in on some neighbours Saturday, while also looking into sheds and barns according to a few.
Other unrelated neighbours, one woman holding back tears and wishing not to be named, said “we don’t know a whole lot.”
The couple said the Grays “are everywhere. This is a very small community and everybody is related in Beatrice. Most people are. ”
But they didn’t really know the younger 29-year-old Gray.
The woman said “I heard a few gun shots around 8:30.
“I will tell you the Grays are a fantastic family. We’ve known them for quite a while. And it’s really upsetting. They were wonderful people.”
Ken and Ellen’s farm “has been in the family forever.
“We know the family, but we don’t want to say much. I don’t want to say a whole lot out of respect for the family.”
After the shelter in place the couple have stayed home since and just yesterday police detectives came by and said they were “canvassing everyone along the whole street.
“I think there’s a whole lot more that has happened that they haven’t told us. That they can confidently say to us that he is not a threat to the public.
“We really, honestly, have no idea whether he’s dead or alive. I don’t know he’s been captured and they haven’t released it yet. We literally have no idea.
“I have a lot respect for the Gray family,” the woman said lowering her head and turning away.”
“There’s been no sign of the Grays since Friday night, which we understand,” said the man with her. “I don’t blame them. It’s tough. I’m sure they’re trying to keep it within the family.
“Hopefully we’ll all get some answers.”
Police say anyone with additional information is urged to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or visit ontariocrimestoppers.ca, where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.
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