A charge of first-degree murder has been laid following a fatal shooting on the Ahtahkakoop First Nation early yesterday.

Twenty-one-year-old Ahtahkakoop resident Tyrone Jacob Knife was found unresponsive with an apparent gunshot wound on a trail leading to several homes on the reserve shortly before 2 am Wednesday.

He was set to be transported out of the community by STARS air ambulance, but was pronounced dead before the flight.

RCMP say the 19-year-old suspect was actually arrested nearby on unrelated matters and was charged after officers realized he was the suspect in Knife’s murder.

In addition to the first-degree murder charge, Dakota Hilliard John Knife is facing charges of using a firearm while committing an indictable offence, assault, aggravated assault and possession of a prohibited weapon.

Mounties say the suspect and victim are related to each other.

The accused made his first court appearance today in Prince Albert and will next be in court on October 1.

An autopsy will take place at Saskatoon City Hospital tomorrow.