CARRY THE KETTLE NAKODA NATION – Saskatchewan RCMP has laid murder charges against a third individual in relation to the February homicides of two men and two women on Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation.
On Dec. 10, police officers with Saskatchewan RCMP’s Major Crimes Unit and Indian Head RCMP Detachment executed a search warrant at a residence on Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation with the assistance of officers from File Hills First Nations Police Service.
RCMP officers arrested a 17-year-old male youth at the residence. Police say they will not be able to identify the youth as per the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
The youth has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder in relation to the deaths of Tracey Hotomani, Sheldon Quewezance, Shauna Fay and Terry Jack.
The youth is also charged with one count, attempted murder. The investigation determined an altercation occurred between the youth and a fifth individual at the residence.
The youth is scheduled to appear in Regina Provincial Court on Dec. 11 at 9:30 a.m.
“This investigation didn’t end when the initial charges were laid. For the past 10 months, our investigators have kept working to provide answers to the victims’ families, and to the community of Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation,” says Insp. Ashley St. Germaine, Senior Investigative Officer with the Saskatchewan RCMP’s Major Crimes Branch, in the news release.
“Through this ongoing and complex investigation, the Saskatchewan RCMP constantly assessed risks to public safety. As the investigation progressed, officers identified a third person involved. After consulting with Crown prosecutors, investigators developed a plan to safely arrest the youth and proceed with charges. This result reflects the commitment of Saskatchewan RCMP officers across the province, whose hard work and expertise kept this case moving forward.”
Background
On Feb. 4 at approximately 11:15 a.m., File Hills First Nations Police Service received a report of sudden deaths at a residence on Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation.
Officers immediately responded. They located four deceased persons in the residence. Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes took charge of the investigation and investigated the deaths as homicides.
Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes located and arrested 18-year-old Darrius Racette in Yorkton on Feb. 18. A 15-year-old male youth was arrested by Saskatchewan RCMP on Feb. 18, on Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation
Darrius Racette and the male youth are each charged with four counts of first-degree murder in relation to the deaths of Tracey Hotomani, Sheldon Quewezance, Shauna Fay and Terry Jack.
File Hills First Nations Police Service, Regina Police Services and Saskatchewan RCMP’s General Investigation Section, Forensic Identification Services, Historical Case Unit, Saskatchewan Enforcement Response Teams, Indigenous Policing Services, and local RCMP detachments all assisted with this investigation.
