On July 6, 2021, at approximately 2:15 p.m., Punnichy RCMP responded to a report of a man armed with a rifle and making threats at Gordon First Nation.
In the course of events, the responding police officers discharged a firearm and injured the man.
The police officers immediately performed life-saving measures on the man until the Lestock Emergency Medical Service arrived. Unfortunately, the man was pronounced deceased by EMS shortly after.
The firearms of the man as well as of the responding police officers have been seized.
In accordance with the RCMP Act, the Saskatchewan RCMP has requested an independent external police investigation into the circumstances of this incident. The Weyburn Police Service will be conducting this investigation.
Assistant-Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore, Saskatchewan RCMP Commanding Officer, said:
"The Saskatchewan RCMP takes these matters very seriously and, as such, we are giving the Weyburn Police Service our full cooperation as they conduct an external investigation into the circumstances surrounding what happened today. I offer my deepest condolences to all of those affected by this incident."
The Saskatchewan RCMP has requested the Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice and Attorney General appoint an independent investigation observer in accordance with Section 91.1 of the Saskatchewan Police Act.
The Saskatchewan RCMP has also requested the Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice and Attorney General appoint a second independent investigation observer of First Nation ancestry in accordance with the Saskatchewan Police Amendment Act, 2020.
Support Services are currently being organized for the family of the deceased and police officers.
As this matter is the subject of an external investigation, no further information can be made available at this time.