Charges laid in Makwa Sahgaiehcan standoff

An arrest has been made in an armed standoff that kept Loon Lake RCMP busy all day on Friday, May 12. 

The local detachment has charged 27-year-old Corey Meesto – also of Loon Lake – with the assaulting a police officer with a weapon, unlawfully possessing a firearm, unlawfully handling a firearm in a careless manner, unlawfully handling ammunition in a careless manner, resisting arrest, carrying a weapon dangerous to public peace and unlawfully in a dwelling.

Police said at 9 a.m. on that day, a male entered a home with a gun on Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation. As a precaution, both schools in the area were on lockdown until the situation was secured by police. Students were able to travel home safely around 3:30 p.m.

A number of RCMP officers were called in to assist with the situation, including a unit that brought along a tactical armoured vehicle. A mobile command unit was also set up, and a large perimeter of the First Nation was blocked off to ensure public safety.