CBC News

· Posted: Apr 10, 2026 6:41 AM EDT | Last Updated: 30 minutes ago

A Sarnia man is dead after shots were fired in the patio area of Lambton College's campus bar in the southwestern Ontario border city.

Police have identified the victim as 20-year-old Dane Nisbet and said he had ties to the local hockey community. Lambton College said Nisbet was a former student.

Two other males were also treated for gun shot wounds, according to authorities, and that they knew Nisbet. However, police wouldn't comment on any possible connection between the victims and suspects.

They said no one was in custody as of their 11 a.m. news conference, and that a weapon had not been recovered.

Sarnia police say Dane Nisbet was shot on the campus of Lambton College in Sarnia, Ont. He later died in hospital. (North Middlesex Stars/Provincial Junior Hockey League)

Officers responded to reports of gunfire just before 1 a.m. Friday. The shooting occurred during a student administrative council event, according to the school. The campus bar is the Lions Den Pub and Grill. It sits below grade.

Among other area teams, Nisbet played parts of three seasons with the Jr. C Mooretown Flags. The club's general manager John Baker says he was a "really nice young man and extremely likeable," and that the killing was a "senseless act of violence."

Sarnia police are calling it an ongoing homicide investigation and say that no information has surfaced indicating Lambton College or the general crowd in attendance were targeted.  

"There is also no information to support any speculation of political motivation in any form," police said.

Investigators are appealing to anyone with information or video to contact Sarnia police. 

Flags lowered at half-mast on the campus of Lambton College in Sarnia, Ont., where a fatal shooting took place, Apr. 10, 2026. (Jason Viau/CBC)

The campus will be closed on Friday along with all classes and on-campus activities.

"This loss is a profound tragedy," Lambton College stated in a social media post.

"We extend our deepest condolences to the individual’s family, loved ones and friends and to everyone affected by this staggering loss. Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by this senseless act of violence.

"The safety of our students, employees, and guests is our highest priority. We are working closely with the Sarnia Police Service as they investigate. This is a shocking and saddening event for our community.”

A Sarnia police cruiser is on scene at Lambton College where a 20-year-old man was shot and killed Apr. 10, 2026. (Jason Viau/CBC)

Nolan Quinn, Ontario's minister of colleges, universities, research excellence and security, addressed the shooting at an unrelated press conference Friday.

He called it a "horrific act of violence." 

He also praised the college for a "swift response and cooperation with law enforcement to restore safety to the campus."

Police hold the scene of a fatal shooting on the campus of Lambton College in Sarnia, Ont. (Jason Viau/CBC)