Skylar Halkett, one of three men charged after a shooting incident near St. Mary High School, is seeking bail. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Public safety

Prince Albert courtroom hears teenage boy shot in leg over backpack

Oct 20, 2023 | 5:00 PM

A shooting and robbery near a Prince Albert high school occurred over a backpack containing gym shorts and a water bottle.

The 17-year-old victim, who was from a school outside the community, was shot in the upper thigh.

Those were among the details read Friday at Prince Albert Provincial Court by Crown Prosecutor Natasha Maclean, as one of the three men charged after the incident appeared for a bail hearing. Skylar Halkett’s lawyer did not request a publication ban.

In the late evening hours of Sept. 8, the victim, who was participating in a volleyball tournament at St. Mary High School, walked his girlfriend to her car, before continuing on his own.

He was soon after approached by three people – one on foot, one on a skateboard and another on a bike, who demanded the victim turn over his backpack.

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One of the suspects was overheard saying “just shoot him” and seconds later another suspect pulled a small, hammered gun from their waist band and fired.

The gun was described in court as homemade, requiring a device to be pulled in order to be fired.

The three suspects then fled, and the victim drove himself to a gas station and called 9-1-1.

The following day, police located a young woman wearing the backpack and she said she got it from her brother.

Her brother would turn out to be Jon Napope, who along with Michael Fourstar were arrested roughly two weeks later, following the execution of search warrants at two separate West Flat addresses where the backpack’s contents were found.

One of the accused told police it was in fact Halkett who pulled the trigger, and also said they had buried the gun. Halkett would turn himself into police on Oct. 10.

Maclean, who contends Halkett’s release would raise serious safety concerns for the public, is arguing against bail.

Meanwhile Halkett’s legal aid lawyer, noting the fact Halkett has no criminal record, could be released under very strict conditions including electronic monitoring, and a 24 hour curfew.

Ian Goldberg also explained he had a letter of support from the Prince Albert Police Service, which was given because of Halkett’s family support.

Several of those same family members were present in court on Friday.

Judge Healey, who raised concern with the fact the suggested residence was the same place Halkett was living when the offence occurred, also noted the rarity of a support letter form the Prince Albert Police Service.

His decision was reserved to Monday.

The incident near St Mary High School has had a big impact on the community, and on Monday Councillor Blake Edwards brought it up during City Council’s meeting. He made a notice of motion the city provide victim impact statements for each person involved in the incident.

While Halkett remains in custody, the two co-accused have pending court dates. Napope remains in custody and Fourstar was previously released on bail.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell