An emergency response crew is supporting students and staff at Grande Prairie Regional College's Fairview campus, in the wake of a shooting on campus, officials say.

RCMP say a car with three males inside a car, pulled up on one of the campus parking lots Sunday evening, and fired a gun, before fleeing the scene.

An 18-year-old man was shot. In stable but critical condition, the victim was taken to the Fairview Hospital and then airlifted to Edmonton for further treatment.

"It happened in one of the parking lots right in the middle of the campus," said Don Gnatiuk, president and CEO of Grande Prairie Regional College.

He said a second victim was transported to the ER, but wasn't admitted to hospital.

'It's just terrible'

Malinda Lewis was waiting at a red light on Sunday night when she saw several police cruisers fly by. They seemed to be chasing another vehicle.

She heard about the shooting the next morning. And she now thinks the car chase she saw was related.

"It's kind of close to home," said Lewis, who is a graduate of that campus.

"Hearing that something horrible like this happened in a place that is so familiar and was once where I lived makes it even crazier to hear ... I feel for the family friends and all of the campus. It's just terrible."

Classes not in session

Classes were not in session at the time of the shooting, but the college's emergency plan was activated immediately.

"We sent extra security out and asked students to stay in their dorms and stay out sight," said Gnatiuk. "That's our priority, to make sure the safety of our students remains at the front of this."

The three suspects in the shooting — considered armed and dangerous — remain at large.

A vehicle, matching a description provided by witnesses on scene, was located by police in the Grande Prairie area late Sunday night. But attempts to stop the vehicle were unsuccessful.

A pursuit ensued, but officers were forced to call off the chase due to concerns over public safety.​

'That's a first,' says former school administrator

Alberta Energy Minister Marg McCuaig-Boyd, a northern Alberta MLA, served as vice-president at Fairview campus from 2009 to 2013.

She said she's shocked that something like this could happen there.

"That's a first for that campus," McCuaig-Boyd told reporters at the legislature Monday morning, explaining she always felt safe at the school. "I had no qualms walking there day or night."

She said she has full confidence in the emergency response team that will now work with students and the town.

Counselling and extra security

Classes at the Fairview campus, located 565 km northwest of Edmonton, have been cancelled for the day, and on-site counselling services are being made available to the 245 students enrolled at the college.

"We're creating an opportunity for our students to come forward, receive counselling if they require that, and get more information," said Gnatiuk who could not say whether the victims were students at the college.

"More security has been put on site, and were staying close in touch with the RCMP to determine if the Fairview Campus is indeed a safe site."

Anyone with information on the investigation is asked to contact Fairview RCMP or Crime Stoppers.