Three men and one adult who was a youth at the time of the incident are facing charges connected to death of a man found seriously injured in a Battleford home last year. (file photo/battlefordsNOW Staff) 

By battlefordsNOW Staff

Homicide investigation

Four suspects arrested in Gatzke homicide investigation

May 19, 2020 | 10:22 AM

Four individuals are facing charges connected to the death of Ryan John Gatzke in Battleford last year.

Police report Gatzke was located with serious injuries in a home on the 100 block of 26 St. W. in Battleford on Oct. 18, 2019. He was later declared deceased after being transported to hospital.

RCMP Major Crimes Unit (MCU) North with the assistance of several specialized RCMP units determined the 27-year-old was the victim of a homicide.

Following an eight-month investigation led by MCU North, police reported Monday three men and an adult who was a youth at the time of the incident have been charged.

Jacob Joseph Ballantyne, 25, of Edam, was charged with second-degree murder, break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence, disguise with intent, carry a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence, pointing a firearm, possession of a firearm without a licence, unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle and possession of a restricted firearm while prohibited.

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Isaac Melko, 22, of North Battleford, is charged with second-degree murder, break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence, disguise with intent, carry a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence, possession of a firearm without a licence and unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle.

Charles Michael Lewis McLean, 23, of North Battleford is charged with manslaughter, unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle and break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence.

An 18-year-old male North Battleford resident was 17 years old at the time of incident and cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. He is charged with second-degree murder, break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence, disguise with intent, carry a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence, possession of a firearm without a licence, unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle and possession of a restricted firearm while prohibited.

McLean, Ballantyne and Melko were remanded for a first appearance in North Battleford Provincial Court on Tuesday. Police will confirm the first court appearance of the 18-year-old male once the date is confirmed.

The allegations against the individuals accused have not been proven in court.

—

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow