Three individuals have been charged following a firearm being discharged on the James Smith Cree Nation this past weekend.
According to an RCMP investigation, it was determined that the suspects entered a residence sometime between 11:30 p.m. on Friday, May 16 and 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 17 and were armed with firearms and threatened residents, before discharging a firearm and injuring an adult male, and assaulted other adult occupants.
The injured male was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries consistent with a gunshot wound.
Melfort RCMP along with the assistance of Saskatchewan RCMP Police Dog Services (PDS) couldn’t locate the suspects immediately.
At approximately 1:30 pm on Saturday, Melfort RCMP, Saskatchewan RCMP’s Critical Incident Response Team attended, along with officers from Tisdale RCMP Detachment and Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan (CTSS) responded to a report of the suspects at a residence on James Smith Cree Nation.
Officers determined a vehicle departed the residence and drove down a dead-end road that led to the river, they were able to locate the suspects and arrested an adult male and two females.
During a search of the vehicle, officers located and seized an extendable baton and brass knuckles.
The adult male, 27-year-old Keistin Deschambeault of Nipawin, SK, was determined to be wanted on a Regina Police Service warrant for being unlawfully at large.
As a result of continued investigation, Keistin Deschambeault was also charged with:
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one count, discharge pistol with intent to wound, Section 244.1(a), Criminal Code;
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one count, break and enter, Section 348(1)(b), Criminal Code;
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one count, assault with weapon, Section 267(a), Criminal Code;
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one count, pointing a firearm, Section 87(1), Criminal Code;
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one count, possession of a restricted weapon, Section 91(2), Criminal Code;
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one count, aggravated assault, Section 268(2), Criminal Code;
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one count, possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose, Section 88(1), Criminal Code;
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one count, possession of restricted firearm with ammunition, Section 95(1), Criminal Code;
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one count, uttering threats, Section 264.1(1)(a), Criminal Code;
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two counts, possession of firearm contrary to order, Section 117.01(1), Criminal Code; and
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two counts, possession of ammunition contrary to order, Section 117.01(1), Criminal Code.
Additionally, 27-year-old Lyric Arcand and 27-year-old Samara Head, both of James Smith Cree Nation, are each charged with:
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one count, break and enter, Section 348(1)(b), Criminal Code;
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one count, possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose, Section 88(1), Criminal Code;
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one count, robbery with firearm, Section 344, Criminal Code; and
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one count, possession of prohibited firearm, Section 91(2), Criminal Code.
Lyric Arcand is also facing one count, pointing a firearm, Section 87(1), Criminal Code. Samara Head is also facing one count, assault with weapon, Section 267(a), Criminal Code.
Keistin Deschambeault, Lyric Arcand and Samara Head appeared in Melfort Provincial Court on May 20, 2025
Melfort RCMP is trying to locate an adult female who is believed to be connected to the incident.
Based on preliminary investigation, Melfort RCMP do not believe this incident to be random in nature. The investigation is ongoing.
James Smith Cree Nation security personnel assisted with this investigation.