News release

Saskatchewan RCMP releases video of side-by-side related to Big Island Lake Cree Nation homicide investigation

February 10, 2026 - Big Island Lake Cree Nation, Saskatchewan
From: Saskatchewan RCMP

Content

Saskatchewan RCMP is asking the public to report information about a side-by-side vehicle and its occupants, who are believed to be involved in a homicide and shooting on Big Island Lake Cree Nation, SK late last year. 

On December 30, 2025, Saskatchewan RCMP responded to an incident on Big Island Lake Cree Nation that resulted in one death, left three injured and led to a dangerous persons alert. 

Since this homicide occurred, investigators with Saskatchewan RCMP’s Homicide Investigation Unit (HIU) have continued efforts to identify and locate the suspects involved, locate and interview key witnesses, collect and review video surveillance, and follow up on various sightings of the side-by-side and additional information related to it. 

Investigators are now asking the public to report any information they may have about the side-by-side vehicle or the individuals occupying it the morning of December 30, 2025. A video is available here. The side-by-side is described as white with a black roof.

“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. Now, we’re asking the public to help us move this investigation forward,” says Insp. Ashley St. Germaine, senior investigative officer with Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes Branch.

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to report it to police by calling 310-RCMP. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.saskcrimestoppers.com.

“As we’ve said before, 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 Insp. 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.”

Investigators have returned to Big Island Lake Cree Nation multiple times over the last six weeks. Residents may continue to notice an increased police presence. 

As a result of continued investigation, Saskatchewan RCMP are also now providing additional information about the incident that led to the dangerous persons alert. 

At approximately 5:10 a.m. on December 30, 2025, Pierceland RCMP received multiple reports of gunshots on Big Island Lake Cree Nation. 

Officers responded from Pierceland and located an injured youth at a residence. Officers then located a second injured youth at a nearby residence. The two youth were taken to hospital with injuries described as serious but non-life-threatening in nature. Investigators later determined the two youth were together when they were shot by suspects on a side-by-side.

While investigating this initial call for service, officers on scene from Pierceland, Meadow Lake and Loon Lake RCMP Detachments received another report of a shooting on Big Island Lake Cree Nation at approximately 6 a.m. 

Officers located an injured 31-year-old male while driving to this call. His injuries were consistent with gunshot wounds. Officers immediately began resuscitation efforts. EMS arrived and took over care. The man was declared deceased at the scene. 

At the same time, additional officers responded to a report of a fourth gunshot victim. They located EMS attending to an adult male at a nearby residence. He was taken to hospital with injuries described as serious but non-life-threatening in nature. Investigation later determined he was with the 31-year-old male when they were shot by suspects on a side-by-side. 

Saskatchewan RCMP’s HIU was consulted and took carriage of the investigation. Based on preliminary details, investigators determined the incidents were connected but were unable to confirm if the shootings were random or targeted. 

Saskatchewan RCMP issued a dangerous persons alert at approximately 8:23 a.m. on December 30 following a determination that there was a continued risk to public safety on Big Island Lake Cree Nation and the surrounding area. The dangerous persons alert was cancelled at approximately 4:49 p.m.

“Senior RCMP officers evaluated and assessed the need for an emergency alert against the information they were receiving about this incident,” says Insp. St. Germaine. “Shortly after 8 a.m., it was determined that this incident met the criteria for an emergency alert. When that determination was made, the appropriate teams were immediately engaged and the alert was issued.”

The Government of Saskatchewan’s Protection and Response Team and Saskatchewan Marshals Service assisted with scene security and extra patrols in the area following the incident. 

RCMP officers from across the province are involved in assisting with this investigation and provided additional patrols on Big Island Lake Cree Nation, including police officers from Pierceland RCMP Detachment, Meadow Lake RCMP Detachment, Loon Lake RCMP Detachment, North Battleford Forensic Identification Section (FIS), North Battleford and Prince Albert Provincial Serious Crimes Units (SCU), North Battleford Crime Reduction Team (CRT), Meadow Lake CRT, Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan (CTSS) and the Historical Case Unit (HCU). 

The Homicide Investigation Unit, formerly known as the Major Crimes Unit, is part of the Saskatchewan RCMP’s Major Crimes Branch.

The Homicide Investigation Unit investigates homicides, suspicious deaths, missing persons where foul play is suspected or likely, explosions believed to be of a criminal nature involving death or injury, and other incidents, as directed.