(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Emergency Alert

RCMP charge three after multiple shootings around Witchekan Lake

Sep 13, 2022 | 5:35 PM

Three people have been charged following a shooting on Witchekan Lake First Nation which led to an emergency alert.

On Sept. 2, just before 1 a.m., Spiritwood RCMP received reports of shots fired with witnesses claiming a man in a grey Pontiac shot at a driver in a white Ford.

Around 2 p.m. the same day, a vehicle fled from police in the community with two people eventually abandoning the vehicle and fleeing on foot into the bush. An unnamed 31-year-old man was arrested with help from Police Dog Services (PDS) and the RCMP Critical Incident Response Team.

Three days later, RCMP received a report of a black Nissan SUV being stolen with a vehicle matching that description caught stealing gas from a station in Leoville. All people in the vehicle were reportedly wearing masks.

Police also received another report that someone in a black Nissan SUV had shot in the direction of a resident in a neighbourhood. That person was not injured.

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Due to the risk to the public, a dangerous persons emergency alert was broadcasted to all residents in the Witchekan Lake First Nation and surrounding areas to seek immediate shelter. At the time, they were looking for 22-year-old Kelly Witchekan and 33-year-old Melvin Starblanket.

Witnesses reportedly started calling police explaining that a vehicle matching the description was driving dangerously and swerving into oncoming traffic between Witchekan Lake First Nation and the Pelican Lake First Nation.

Around 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 5, police found the black Nissan SUV in a cornfield near Witchekan Lake First Nation. The vehicle was driven by one person, who was not involved in the initial report of shootings, but they allegedly started driving dangerously in the field before the vehicle caught on fire.

The following day, RCMP cancelled the dangerous persons alert after three people had been arrested which includes Kelly Witchekan.

He’s been handed 11 charges including using a firearm while committing assault with a weapon, carrying a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence, and possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition.

Shane Witchekan, 32, has been charged with 12 offences including possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition, robbery with a firearm, and careless use of a firearm.

Dallas Sakebow, 31, has been charged with theft of a truck, and breaking, entering, and committing into a residence.

Starblanket, who was named early in the investigation, was found on Sept. 7 but police did not say whether he had been arrested or charged with anything.

The investigation is ongoing with RCMP asking anyone with information to contact them at 306-883-4210 or through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.saskcrimestoppers.com.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow