Two men have been charged with attempted murder after a man was shot and badly wounded at Samson Cree Nation in Maskwacis.
RCMP said they were called to a gun call at a rural residence on Samson Cree Nation about 3 a.m. last Sunday. When police arrived, they found a man suffering from a severe gun wound.
He was treated at the scene by EMS and taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Witnesses identified two suspects, who had fled the scene before police got there. Maskwacis General Investigation Section officers were called in to investigate.
Those investigators, along with Westaskiwin RCMP, Wetaskiwin RCMP dog unit and the Red Deer RCMP forensic identification investigators joined forces and both suspects were located and arrested.
“This is a great example of an excellent initial response by police, and a big thank you to the Wetaskiwin RCMP for assisting us in locating and apprehending the two suspects quickly”, says Maskwacis RCMP Const. Andrew Deme.
“The first 24 hours after a serious offence has taken place are crucial in trying to figure out exactly what happened. Our members are often asked at times to drop what they’re doing to come together as one, with the goal of making the communities we serve better and safer.”
A 22-year-old Ermineskin Cree Nation man and a 27-year-old Wetaskiwin man have both been charged with attempted murder with a firearm, uttering threats, assault unauthorized possession of a firearm and break and enter.
The Wetaskiwin man is also facing additional charges of unauthorized possession of a firearm and three counts of failing to comply with release orders. He was also arrested on outstanding warrants from Maskwacis and Wetaskiwin RCMP in connection with various alleged weapons offences.
The Ermineskin suspect remains in custody and is to appear in Wetaskiwin provincial court on Thursday. The other suspect was released and is due in court on Jan. 13.