Two people charged following North Battleford shooting

NORTH BATTLEFORD – Two people have been charged after shots were fired in North Battleford.

On Feb. 8 at around 9:30 p.m., Battlefords RCMP received a report of shots being fired at a residential building in North Battleford. Officers immediately responded and confirmed there were no injuries. Further investigation determined the suspects fled the scene in a grey SUV.

Battlefords RCMP were conducting extensive patrols and located the vehicle matching the description driving on Highway 16. Officers attempted stop the vehicle, however the vehicle continued to proceed down the highway. Officers continued to follow the vehicle at a high rate of speed, when it then turned down a rural road. Eventually the vehicle came to a sudden stop.

RCMP officers and Saskatchewan RCMP’s Police Dog Services contained the vehicle. Two suspects were observed in the vehicle. The one suspect exited the vehicle, threw a firearm on the ground and re-entered the vehicle.

After multiple requests to exit the vehicle, the two male suspects exited the vehicle and were arrested without incident. Officers at the scene seized the loaded firearm that had earlier been thrown on the ground. In a further search of the vehicle, officers located firearm ammunition and bear spray.

A 32-year-old man, from Little Pine First Nation, is charged with:

• one count, discharge firearm while being reckless;
• one count, flight from police;
• one count, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle;
• one count, possession of restricted firearm/prohibited weapon with ammunition without licence/registration;
• one count, possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle;
• one count, operation while prohibited;
• two counts, fail to comply probation order;
• one count, weapons/firearms possession contrary to order;
• one count, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose; and
• one count, operation while impaired of motor vehicle.

A 29-year-old man, from Poundmaker First Nation, is charged with:

• one count, discharge firearm while being reckless;
• one count, possession of restricted firearm/prohibited weapon with ammunition without licence/registration;
• one count, possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle;
• one count, weapons/firearms possession contrary to order; and
• one count, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

Both suspects appeared in North Battleford Provincial Court on Feb. 10.