BIG ISLAND LAKE CREE NATION — Saskatchewan RCMP have released a video of a side-by-side vehicle believed to be connected to a homicide and series of shootings on Big Island Lake Cree nation late last year and renew their call for public information.
Police say the white side-by-side with a black roof was seen the morning of Dec. 30, 2025, when four people were shot, one fatally, prompting a dangerous persons alert for the community and surrounding area.
Watch the video below
Since the homicide, the RCMP’s Homicide Investigation Unit has conducted interviews, reviewed surveillance footage, followed up on reported sightings of the side-by-side, and returned to Big Island Lake Cree Nation multiple times over the past six weeks. Investigators believe people in the community have information about the vehicle and who was inside it.
“Over the course of any case, investigators use a variety of strategic techniques to advance a file, and many of them occur out of public view,” said Insp. Ashley St. Germaine, senior investigative officer with Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes Branch. “Now, we’re asking the public to help us move this investigation forward.”
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to report it to police by calling 310-RCMP. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.saskcrimestoppers.com.
“As we’ve said before, we need people to tell us what they know. People have information about this side-by-side, who was driving it and who was riding in it. They need to talk to police,” says Insp. St. Germaine. “I know some people are nervous about speaking to police. I urge you to sit down with our investigators and talk about it. They will listen to you.”
Timeline of shootings
At about 5:10 a.m., Pierceland RCMP received multiple reports of gunshots. Officers located two injured youth at separate nearby homes. Both were taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Investigators later determined the youth were together when the suspects in a side-by-side shot them.
While officers were responding, a second shooting was reported around 6 a.m. Police located a 31-year-old man suffering from gunshot wounds while they were en route. Officers attempted life-saving measures but he was declared deceased at the scene. A fourth victim, a man, was found at a nearby residence and taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. He and the deceased man were together when they were shot by suspects in the same side-by-side.
Based on early information, investigators determined the shootings were connected but couldn’t confirm whether they were targeted or random.
A dangerous persons alert was issued at 8:23 a.m. due to the continued risk to public safety and was cancelled at 4:49 p.m. that afternoon.
“Senior RCMP officers evaluated and assessed the need for an emergency alert against the information they were receiving about this incident,” says Insp. St. Germaine. “Shortly after 8 a.m., it was determined that this incident met the criteria for an emergency alert. When that determination was made, the appropriate teams were immediately engaged and the alert was issued.”
Ongoing police presence
RCMP say residents may continue to see increased police activity as the investigation continues. Officers from detachments and specialized units from across the province have assisted, including Pierceland RCMP Detachment, Meadow Lake RCMP Detachment, Loon Lake RCMP Detachment, North Battleford Forensic Identification Section (FIS), North Battleford and Prince Albert Provincial Serious Crimes Units (SCU), North Battleford Crime Reduction Team (CRT), Meadow Lake CRT, Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan (CTSS) and the Historical Case Unit (HCU).
The Homicide Investigation Unit, formerly known as the Major Crimes Unit, is part of the Saskatchewan RCMP’s Major Crimes Branch.
