Sask. RCMP release video of vehicle used in fatal shooting on First Nation

SASK021026_BIGISLAND

The Saskatchewan RCMP is releasing surveillance video hoping someone can help identify a vehicle connected to a homicide investigation on Big Island Lake Cree Nation.

Police say the vehicle, a side-by-side akin to a rugged golf cart with a white body and black roof, was driven by the suspects in the Dec. 30 shooting death of 31-year-old Neil Wahpistikwan and the injury of three others.

RCMP from Pierceland were called to the community, located nearly 400 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon, just after 5 a.m. with multiple reports of gunshots. Officers located two injured youths who reported they were shot by suspects on a side-by-side. Around 6 a.m., another report of a shooting came in. On their way to the scene, police located Wahpistikwan. Despite their resuscitation efforts, the 31-year-old was later declared dead at the scene.

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By 8:30 a.m. that morning, a dangerous person alert sounded on cell phones in the community. The alert triggered a series of lockdowns as investigators scoured the area for the suspects and their side-by-side, turning up nothing.

The RCMP says its homicide investigators have worked to identify the suspects, interview key witnesses and follow up on reported sightings of the side-by-side.

“Over the course of any case, investigators use a variety of strategic techniques to advance a file, and many of them occur out of public view,” said Insp. Ashley St. Germaine, senior investigative officer with Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes Branch.

Now, they’re asking for your help, as they’ve been unable to identify the occupants or owners of the side-by-side.

“We need people to tell us what they know. People have information about this side-by-side, who was driving it and who was riding in it. They need to talk to police,” says St. Germaine.

“I know some people are nervous about speaking to police. I urge you to sit down with our investigators and talk about it. They will listen to you.”