DESCHAMBAULT LAKE — Updated: RCMP have issued more details on the fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred Friday morning in Deschambault Lake. One male is dead and two people have been charged who were recently involved in a separate incident, one of forcible confinement.
Police say that on Aug. 8 at 8:41 a.m., two Deschambault Lake RCMP officers encountered five individuals in a wooded area near the community of Deschambault Lake. During the course of the encounter, say police, a confrontation occurred between the officers and one of the five people, an adult male from Deschambault Lake. The two responding police officers discharged their firearms and the adult male was struck. Officers provided initial medical assistance; however, the adult male died at the scene. His family has been notified.
No police officers were physically injured. A firearm and several replica firearms were located and seized at the scene.
The four other people at the scene were arrested and charges were laid against a man from Pelican Narrows and a woman from Deschambault Lake. The two others were released without charge
Thirty-one-year-old Earl Ballantyne from Pelican Narrows is charged with reckless discharge of a firearm (no injuries were reported to police as a result of this) and possession of a weapon contrary to section 91(2) of the Criminal Code. Earl Ballantyne was also arrested on an outstanding warrant in relation to a separate Deschambault Lake RCMP investigation of July 28, in which charges including assault, forcible confinement and weapons offences were laid.
Twenty-year-old Sherri Custer from Deschambault Lake is charged with breach of an undertaking in relation, having been charged with similar offences to Ballantyne from July 28.
The Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) has been informed and are investigating and the Saskatchewan RCMP say they will have to be mindful of the integrity of SIRT’s investigation, but will provide further information about this incident as they are able to.
Saskatchewan RCMP’s Prince Albert General Investigation Section will investigate the initial call for service received by Deschambault Lake RCMP.
There will continue to be an increased police presence in Deschambault Lake in relation to these ongoing investigations. Initial police response included Deschambault Lake RCMP, Pelican Narrows RCMP, RCMP Critical Incident Response Team, RCMP Traffic Services, RCMP Police Dog Services, RCMP Forensic Identification Services and the Saskatchewan Protection and Response Team.
