An RCMP officer died Saturday after being shot in Hay River in the Northwest Territories while responding to a call at a home for police assistance, and police are searching for suspects.

Const. Christopher John Worden, 30, died after being shot Saturday in Hay River, a small N.W.T. community near Great Slave Lake.
(Courtesy of the RCMP)

Const. Christopher John Worden, 30, had arrived at the home around 5 a.m. local time when police lost radio contact with him.

Police will not say what the call was about, only that Worden had radioed for backup.

When officers arrived, they discovered Worden had been shot, police said. He was rushed to Hay River Hospital and pronounced dead.

No arrests have been made. RCMP from the N.W.T. and Alberta are involved in the search for the killer or killers.

The incident happened in the small community near Great Slave Lake, 400 kilometres south of Yellowknife.

RCMP Sgt. Larry O'Brien, shown speaking to reporters on Saturday, says the shooting death of Const. Christopher John Worden is being felt strongly.
(CBC)

Worden, originally from Ottawa, joined the Mounties in 2002 and served most of his career in the N.W.T. He was one of nine officers of the Hay River detachment.

"Ours is a small division with barely over 200 members. Everyone knows one another," said Sgt. Larry O'Brien. "Chris was a member here in Yellowknife, He's known by many people who are involved in this investigation, so it's very tough right now on a lot of people.

Worden is survived by his wife Jody and by their infant daughter.

"Chris's family have been advised, and his wife and child are being comforted by friends and members at this time," O'Brien said.

People in the small town say part of the community has been cordoned off and RCMP are questioning residents.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a statement late Saturday expressing sympathies to Worden's family and colleagues.

"Today, a brave officer lost his life to a senseless act of violence," said Harper. "Const. Christopher John Worden died in the line of duty, doing what he loved, serving his country in the uniform of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

"Everyone who knew Const. Worden will remember him for his professionalism and his dedication. This tragedy serves to remind us all of the courage and commitment that the members of the force show each and every day, from coast to coast."

With files from the Canadian Press