“It was like a bomb went off in my car”: Friend of woman shot on Highway 39

The family of Tanya Myers—who was killed by a bullet while driving on Highway 39 near Weyburn on Friday, September 12—and her friend Andrea Dawn Morrice who was driving that night say that Tanya was a wonderful person, and they are pleading with the person responsible for the shooting to step forward.

Andrea and Tanya were driving back from Regina around 8 pm that night on Highway 39 in a black Ford Explorer and were three kilometers northwest of Weyburn near the Richardson Pioneer and Viterra when Andrea noticed her friend was suddenly in pain. A bullet had entered the truck and had hit Tanya in the back. Tanya, 44, died at the scene.

RCMP later determined that a second vehicle had been hit by a bullet that same night after the vehicle ended up with a flat tire the next day. The vehicle had been travelling close behind the Ford Explorer, and when RCMP examined the tire they found it was damaged by gunshot.

As of last week, RCMP were still trying to figure out who was responsible for the shooting.

“I was the driver of the vehicle on Friday night,” says Andrea. “It was like a bomb went off in my car and suddenly my friend was in pain, but since the bullet went into her back, I had no idea where the pain was coming from or what her injuries were.

“My friend had zero enemies in this world and as far as I know neither did I. We were not targeted unless it was a case of mistaken identity.

“Tanya was a natural healer who helped me get through the last seven or eight years but I have known her for more like 30. Our last day together could not have been more perfect. We laughed, we shared stories, tried new things, bought gifts for our pets, truly a best last day.

“Tanya had a heart of gold and only did good in this world. To know her was to love her. She had empathy, she sympathized, she healed. She truly had magic and shared her gift with as many people as she could. Her family and cats meant the world to her. She had no enemies. Nobody meant to do this to her. We need answers as to why it happened but I’m not sure we will ever get them.”

“Tanya was an amazing energy healer and animal lover, with a special fondness for cats. She was the best mom to her nine cats,” said Tanya’s family in a statement last week.

“She rarely left home because she had an extensive care routine for her kitties, so this day out of town was rare for her, and related to her interest in energy healing and shopping for her cats.

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“We are all in shock and disbelief, and the loss of Tanya leaves a giant gaping hole in our lives and her cats’ lives who are all wondering where their mom has gone.

“She did not have anything to do with the way she left us. She kept to herself and looked after her fur babies.

“To the person or persons responsible – please grow a conscience and take responsibility for your actions. Tanya deserves justice and her family deserves answers.”

RCMP will still investigating the incident last week and were asking the public for any help they could provide in trying to find out who the shooter was that night.

“We have received many tips from the public in relation to this investigation and people have come forward who were in the area at the time of this incident. We recognize this is the result of information shared online and through our news partners. It shows the public wants to help and we appreciate this greatly,” said Insp. Ashley St. Germaine of Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes.

“We are appealing to those individuals who may have been out in the area of Highway 39 northwest of Weyburn on Friday, September 12. Maybe you were hunting or target shooting, or perhaps you were with or know someone who was. Perhaps you recall a passing a vehicle on that road around 8 pm. Maybe you have vehicle dash cam footage from traveling Highway 39 that night. Please give our investigators a call to assist us in getting answers for the victim’s family and community.”

RCMP said they were seeking video surveillance.

“Investigators are asking the public and business owners—particularly those with buildings or homes along Highway 39 into Weyburn and Highway 13—to check video surveillance or house/doorbell camera footage between 7:45 and 8:30 pm Friday, September 12. If you note any suspicious people or vehicles or anything out of the ordinary, please call and report it.”

Anyone with any information is being asked to:

• Call 310-RCMP (7267)

• Call Crime Stoppers if you wish to remain anonymous: 1-800-222-8477

This story was originally published in The World-Spectator. It is republished under a Creative Commons license as part of the Local Journalism Initiative.