The self-proclaimed "Queen of Canada" was among those arrested on Wednesday by the Saskatchewan RCMP following a firearm investigation.
At around 4:30 a.m., Saskatchewan RCMP executed a search warrant in Richmound at a privately-owned decommissioned school inhabited by a group of individuals, including one Romana Didulo.
Tensions had been rising in the community ever since Didulo and others had taken up residence in the former Richmound School in September 2023.
The original report that led to a search warrant came in on August 25, saying that an individual in the building was in possession of a firearm. After receiving the report, Saskatchewan RCMP began an investigation which monitored any risk to public safety and to the community of Richmound.
"There are a lot of unknowns that we face day-to-day in our job, and when a firearm is present, we do have to consider the potential that more exist," said Inspector Ashley St. Germaine in a press conference. "There's an ongoing risk assessment that's done by a lot of our experienced senior officers to make sure we are considering public safety along with police safety while executing a search warrant."
A wide team of officers from multiple divisions took part in the investigation and search warrant, including the:
- Critical Incident Response Team
- Tactical Support Group
- Containment Team
- Police Dog Services
- General Investigation Section
- Remotely Piloted Aircraft System
- Detachment members.
Assistance was also provided by the Regina Police Service’s SWAT program, with over 30 police vehicles and two tactical vehicles reporting to the scene.
During the search warrant, officers arrested 16 adults. 10 were arrested inside the building, five were arrested in the RVs, and one was arrested outside a residence in Richmound.
Currently, the RCMP is still investigating the building, collecting evidence, and interviewing those arrested. Currently, no charges have been laid.
The latest update from investigators states that they've seized four replica handguns – one inside the building and three inside vehicles.
Officers also observed modifications to the existing structure during their investigation, notifying fire investigators with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, who are now engaged in their own investigation.