Prince Albert Provincial Court. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

Muskoday shooting incident results in six year prison sentence

Sep 9, 2025 | 5:00 PM

Noting an increase in court cases involving violence directed towards police, a Prince Albert judge stated these types of crimes need to be denounced.

Moments later Judge Rogers sentenced Jason Lafferty to six years in prison.

The case that involves a single gunshot fired in the direction of police officers and a near hour and a half long standoff, dates back to February 2024 at Muskoday First Nation. The sentencing hearing was held Tuesday afternoon at Prince Albert Provincial Court.

According to the agreed statement of facts, police initially responded to a call involving a firearm on the reserve. Continuous investigation resulted in officers locating a black Dodge Ram truck.

When RCMP attempted to arrest the suspects in the vehicle, a firearm was discharged and Lafferty was overheard yelling.

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“”(Expletive} you, go (expletive) yourself, come and arrest me then,” Judge Rogers read from the facts.

No injuries were reported, and the officers did not return fire.

As a result of the gunshot, police contained the area and brought in the canine unit. Roughly an hour and a half later, Lafferty and a female passenger were arrested.

A .28 gauge shotgun was found inside the truck. Further investigation revealed that the suspects arrested were not involved in the initial firearm call at Muskoday First Nation.

Guilty pleas were entered to unauthorized possession of a firearm and discharge of a firearm with intent. At the time of the offence, a number of other charges were also laid including five counts of attempted murder, however they were all withdrawn by the Crown.

Judge Rogers noted the incident occurred on a narrow trail in the community and the RCMP officers were directly in the line of fire.

‘They have no choice … they are duty bound.”

Lafferty has admitted to being highly intoxicated, and was grieving the loss of a brother who had died during a confrontation with police.

According to his lawyer Chris Koban, the incident was very out of character for Lafferty who has no prior record for violence. It was also noted in court that he has made a commitment to get help for his addiction issues and plans to return to school and complete a trades program.

“He has demonstrated success through education,” Rogers stated.

With credit for time spent in remand, Lafferty has roughly three years and eight months left to serve, and will then be subject to a 10-year firearms prohibition.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell