REGINA — In the hours after Tanya Myers was shot dead while riding in her friend’s SUV on a rural Saskatchewan highway, local businessman Chris Fahlman took to social media to express his outrage.
Almost two months later, Fahlman stands accused of manslaughter in her death.
The 42-year-old was arrested over the weekend in Regina and appeared in court Monday. He is to make another appearance Tuesday. He also faces multiple weapons offences in the Sept. 12 shooting of Myers, who was from Weyburn.
Myers, 44, was on an outing with friend Andrea Morrice. She sat in the passenger seat as Morrice drove them home on Highway 39 from a psychic fair in Regina.
Morrice said they heard a loud bang. Myers leaned forward, grabbed her chest, and said, “It feels like I’ve been shot.”
Morrice called 911. Paramedics arrived soon after, but Myers was dead. They found a tiny spot of blood around her left shoulder blade. Three bullet holes were found in the truck.
Later, a Facebook page belonging to Fahlman shared a post that said, “Teach your children that it’s okay to disagree with someone, but it is never okay to harm someone else.”
The following day, sharing an RCMP news release of the shooting, his page said, “This is absolutely disgusting… What is the world coming to!!!”
Fahlman’s lawyer, Robert MacKay, urged the public to reserve judgment, saying everyone has a right to be presumed innocent.
“With the arrest and charges only just laid, it would be inappropriate to provide further comment at this time,” he said in an email.
RCMP briefed reporters on the case Monday but offered few details because the case is before the courts.
Insp. Ashley St. Germaine said officers are not looking for other suspects and that it isn’t believed Fahlman knew Myers.
“We are not aware of any direct connection between the accused and the occupants and the two vehicles that were struck,” Germaine said.
Jaime Wawro said last month while she was driving behind Morrice, she recalled hearing two loud bangs. RCMP took her vehicle, later telling her she had a bullet in her tire, she said.
Fahlman’s Facebook page shows he is an avid hunter and the owner of a home inspection business serving Regina and its surrounding area, including Weyburn.
A biography on his LinkedIn page says he grew up on a farm outside Regina and lives in a town outside the city with his wife and two sons.
Morrice said in a message Monday she never thought RCMP would have enough evidence to lay charges.
“What a relief it was when my husband and I met with Tanya‘s family and the RCMP to be informed that an arrest had been made. So many happy tears!” she said.
