Suspect arrested after fatal Pelican Narrows shooting as RCMP promise increased presence

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Inspector Ashley St. Germaine, acting officer in charge of Saskatchewan RCMP’s Major Crimes Branch answered questions from the press on Tuesday, June 2. (Image Credit: Screenshot)

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RCMP clarified the shooting did not occur at the health centre itself, despite initial reports suggesting otherwise.

A dangerous persons alert was issued at 2:29 p.m., roughly 17 minutes after alert officials were notified, according to police. An updated alert containing a suspect description followed at 3:14 p.m.

As the situation unfolded, Pelican Narrows School was placed under lockdown. RCMP said officers worked with school officials and community members to ensure students could safely return home at the end of the school day.

At approximately 7:07 p.m., officers arrested a suspect at a residence in Pelican Narrows. Police said no charges have yet been laid as investigators continue to process multiple crime scenes, interview witnesses and consult with Crown prosecutors.

RCMP confirmed one person who was detained earlier in the day was later released without charges.

Following the arrest, police determined there was no longer an ongoing threat to public safety and cancelled the dangerous persons alert shortly after 8 p.m.

The investigation remains in its early stages, with RCMP major crimes investigators continuing to gather evidence, review surveillance footage and interview witnesses.

“If you saw something or know something about this shooting, please say something,” St. Germaine said. “Eyewitness accounts will be key to providing answers to the victims and their families.”

Violence on the rise

Tuesday’s update also included new information about violent crime trends in the region as community members continue to express concerns about safety.

Chief Superintendent Murray Chamberlin, Officer in Charge of Saskatchewan RCMP Criminal Operations, said violent crime within the Pelican Narrows detachment area has increased by 49 per cent over the past decade.

“This is extremely concerning, especially considering the small local population,” Chamberlin said.

He acknowledged the community has been dealing with multiple tragedies and said addressing violence, addictions and other social challenges will require a long-term collaborative approach involving local leadership, community organizations and government agencies.

“What Pelican Narrows and many communities across Saskatchewan are experiencing in terms of increased violence cannot be fixed overnight,” he said.

When asked whether more could have been done after community leaders publicly raised concerns about escalating violence just days before Monday’s shooting, Chamberlin said incidents like this are difficult to predict.

“Unfortunately, events like this are impossible to predict, so to say that we could have done something in advance to stop it I think would be pretty speculative,” he said.

He added that public safety relies on a combination of police presence, community engagement and information provided by residents.

A large police presence will remain in the community as the investigation continues. (Image Credit: Submitted)

RCMP urge community cooperation

Asked what message he had for residents who are traumatized by the latest violence and no longer feel safe in their community, Chamberlin acknowledged the impact the shooting has had.

“First off, we feel for all those community members and I know that the community is suffering right now,” he said.

Chamberlin said investigators need information from the public to help solve crimes and improve safety in the community.

“We need to work with our communities because that’s what makes everyone safer,” he said. “We can’t be everywhere at once as a police service, so the community is our eyes and ears.”

More officers planned

RCMP also outlined several measures aimed at improving policing resources in the northeast.

Chamberlin said officers from across Saskatchewan have helped cover 888 relief shifts in Pelican Narrows since January 2024 to address staffing shortages.

Specialized RCMP units, including traffic services, crime reduction teams and warrant apprehension officers, have also been conducting enforcement and patrols in the community.

By this fall, RCMP plans to launch a new rotational policing model in northeastern Saskatchewan. The initiative will see officers deployed from Saskatoon and centralized through Pelican Narrows while supporting policing operations in Sandy Bay, Deschambault Lake and Creighton.

“The officers will be based in each community to ensure consistent frontline presence, responsiveness and strong local engagement,” Chamberlin said.

RCMP said an increased police presence will remain in Pelican Narrows as the homicide investigation continues.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com