RCMP are seeking the public’s help in what they are calling a suspicious death investigation, after a female passenger died while travelling on Highway 39 near Weyburn, Sask.

Just after 8 p.m. on Friday, officers received a report of a person who was seriously injured in an SUV travelling on Highway 39 about three kilometres northwest of Weyburn, according to a release from the Saskatchewan RCMP on Saturday.

Investigation determined that two women were travelling together in a black Ford Explorer on Highway 39 towards Weyburn, police said.

According to police, a loud crack indicated that someone had discharged a firearm, which struck the vehicle and injured the passenger, a 44-year-old woman from Weyburn. The woman died at the scene and officers determined she had been shot.

RCMP are considering her death suspicious and said the victim’s family has been notified.

The Saskatchewan Major Crimes Unit is now investigating.

The driver of the SUV, a woman also from Weyburn, is not considered a suspect and is not in police custody, according to RCMP.

Ashley St. Germaine of the RCMP Major Crimes Branch said she understands the incident may cause concern for locals and those who travel in the area. RCMP are asking anyone with information to contact them, noting that investigation indicates the incident may be random in nature.

“At this point, we are asking the public to think back to last night and if you were driving on Highway #39 or northwest of Weyburn around 8 p.m., please report any suspicious people, vehicles or activity to police. If you saw a black Ford Explorer around that time, please contact police with any information. Was someone target practicing in the area? Was another vehicle driving erratically on that road?” she said in the release.

During a media availability on Saturday, RCMP reiterated the need for public assistance but noted there were no other related reports.

“At this time, no other reports of suspicious activity or people have been reported to the Weyburn RCMP that would be considered connected to this incident,” St. Germaine said.

RCMP is asking the public to remain vigilant as investigation is ongoing.

“The public can expect to see an increased police presence in the Weyburn area as this investigation continues,” St. Germaine said.

“We don’t believe that there’s any increased risk to the public. Should something change in that risk assessment changes, we will notify the public immediately,” she added.

Late Friday evening, Saskatchewan RCMP advised of an increased police presence on Highway 39 due to an ongoing investigation and asked people to avoid the areas. The highway was closed and has since been reopened.