*UPDATE – Property-related charges have now been laid against the three adults arrested Wednesday in Debden in connection with this incident. RCMP say 22-year-old Brandon Whitefish and 25-year-old Kyle Whitefish, both of the Big River First Nation, will be making court appearances Friday in Prince Albert. Meanwhile, 20-year-old Jo-Dee Ratt of the Ahtahkakoop First Nation was scheduled to make a court appearance Thursday on the Big River First Nation.
RCMP say everyone allegedly involved in a rural break and enter in the Spiritwood area early Tuesday morning has been arrested.
They are also confirming the person who fired a gun during the incident was the property owner.
Police were on the lookout for a stolen Ford F-350 following the incident yesterday. They say the truck was located in the town of Debden yesterday evening and two men and a woman were taken into custody without incident. No charges have been laid at this time, as police say their investigation is ongoing.
Ronald Joseph, 28, from Big River First Nation, was arrested earlier in the day in relation to the incident. He faces several charges, including possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, unauthorized possession of a firearm, break and enter and theft of a vehicle. He made his first court appearance on these charges today.
RCMP are now confirming the gun that was fired during the alleged break and enter was done so by the property owner, who they say discharged his gun into the air.
The property owner will not be facing any charges for the discharge of the firearm.
In relation to this incident, the RCMP are reminding the public that introducing a firearm into a situation can be very dangerous. They are urging people to avoid this type of confrontation if possible.
Mounties also say they have heard the public’s concern around crime in the province. They pointed to a number of crime strategies and initiatives they have implemented as their response to these concerns.
(PHOTO: RCMP. File photo.)