Killings of 2 men, 2 women on Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation may have been targeted: Sask. RCMP
RCMP believe no greater risk to the public at this time
Saskatchewan RCMP say the deaths of two men and two women on Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation on Tuesday are being considered homicides and may have been targeted.
On Tuesday, RCMP said officers responded to a report of deaths on the reserve, located about 80 kilometres east of Regina, at 11:15 a.m. CST. They found four people dead in a home.
Insp. Ashley St. Germaine, a senior investigative officer with the major crimes unit, said at a news conference Wednesday afternoon that RCMP were still working with the Saskatchewan Coroners Service to formally identify the victims, but confirmed that they were two men and two women.
St. Germaine said RCMP believe there is no greater risk to the public at this time and that the decision not to issue a dangerous persons alert on Tuesday was carefully considered and decided against based on the information available at the time. She said the belief that the killings were targeted played into the decision.
She said the RCMP is working to identify suspects, and that the case is in its infancy and complex.
"At this point in time we don't have information to confirm that they're still at large," St. Germain said when asked if it's possible the person or people responsible are still on the loose.
St. Germaine was asked how uncommon a crime like this is.
"It's a tragedy at the end of the day. How uncommon it is? I think, you know, it doesn't happen every year, every month, but every time it does happen, it impacts everybody. It impacts the communities, the families, the province [and] the police officers," she said.
Carry the Kettle residents will continue to see police presence on the reserve while the investigation continues, RCMP said.
Meanwhile, at about 3:15 p.m. CST on Tuesday, RCMP got reports of a man pointing a gun at people on a nearby reserve, Zagime Anishinabek, according to a release. Hours later, 29-year-old Keagan Panipekeesick was arrested by Regina Police Service.
"At this time, investigators are examining into whether the firearm pointing incident and the homicides are connected. We are unable to confirm a link at this time," RCMP said in a release Wednesday afternoon.
RCMP say Panipekeesick is charged with one count of pointing a gun and one count of possession of a gun contrary to an order.
He was set to make his first court appearance on Wednesday.
Panipekeesick was arrested at a home on Mathieu Crescent in Regina along with two other people. Police say they are investigating whether the other two people were involved with the firearm-pointing incident.
"If an imminent risk to public safety is identified, we will let the public know," a news release said.
CTK Chief addresses community
Carry the Kettle remained on lockdown Wednesday, with no one allowed in or out.
Chief Scott Eashappie provided an update for members of the nation on Facebook. He said local police were working with RCMP and city police to locate suspects.
"We currently have our nation hall open to our nation and supports for everyone to please come and sit and visit with each other," Eashappie wrote.
"We have File Hills Police Service stead[ily] patrolling our nation for the safety of each home."
The community's youth centre is also open from Wednesday to Saturday. Eshappie said there is enough help to look after children.
Lynn Acoose, chief of Zagimē Anishinabēk, also posted on Facebook.
"The news of the horrific event at Carry the Kettle First Nation affected everyone deeply," Acoose said.
"On behalf of Zagimē Anishinabēk membership and Council, I extend our sincere condolences to Carry the Kettle First Nation."
Acoose said people affected by the tragedy can call the First Nations Hope for Wellness help line at 1-855-242-3310.
"In the coming days, our community walks alongside the people of Carry the Kettle as you carry the burden of these losses," she wrote.
Chief Payepot School, located on the Piapot First Nation about 40 kilometres northeast of Regina, posted on its Facebook page that it would be on "hold and secure" Wednesday in light of the nearby incidents. This means students aren't allowed out for recess and entrances are monitored.
"This is an extra security measure and there is no direct threat to any of our students," the post said.
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With files from Alexander Quon and Laura Sciarpelletti