Manitoba First Nations Police officers shot at during car chase

An RCMP epaulette is seen in Edmonton, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Officers with the Manitoba First Nations Police Service (MFNPS) were shot at during a chase with a stolen vehicle on Monday in Sandy Bay First Nation.

According to RCMP, the incident began around 4 a.m. on Monday when the MFNPS tried to conduct a traffic stop on a stolen car on Lake Road in Sandy Bay.

Police said the driver did not stop and continued to travel at a high rate of speed, alleging that during the chase a suspect in the stolen car shot a gun at MFNPS officers.

Around 7:30 a.m., the MFNPS asked for help from Ste. Rose du Lac RCMP officers who immediately began to look for the suspects. Additional officers with the Manitoba Integrated Violent Offenders Units, Emergency Response Team and Police Dog Services also came to help in the search.

The incident continued around 2 p.m. when the stolen car was seen heading northbound on Provincial Road 278. Police used a spike belt to disable one of the stolen car’s tires; however, despite the flat tire, the car continued south towards Silver Ridge.

Officers continued to track the vehicle and were eventually able to stop it and arrest all three people inside, including a male driver and two female passengers. A loaded gun was found inside the car.

The suspects – a 21-year-old man, 22-year-old woman and 35-year-old woman from Sandy Bay Nation – are all facing several charges, possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes.

The investigation continues.