Chief, RCMP confirms death following standoff in Cumberland House

Yesterday, RCMP warned the community after 1 p.m. that there was a public safety alert after a man was seen in the community carrying a long barrel gun.

The RCMP said that a man wanted on a warrant for assaulting an officer was in the area and they contained him into a house on Pemmican Portage Avenue.

The community was told to stay indoors and keep their doors locked.

At about 3 p.m. a second alert was issued after shots were fired from the home police were watching on 133 Pemmican Avenue.

The Nisto Awasisak Memorial School was put on a hold-and-secure protocol and people were evacuated from residences in the vicinity of the incident.

Two people surrendered soon after the emergency alert was issued, followed by a third person afterwards.

Police took one loaded gun from one of the first three people but the people who were still inside the home began shooting with shots exchanged between the Critical Incident Response team and the suspects in the house.

Just before 5, one man left the building and was arrested without incident. He told officers there was fifth injured male in the home.

When officers entered, they found the man and provided emergency medical care but he was later pronounced dead in hospital.

He has been identified as a 22-year-old man from Prince Albert but no name has been provided.

At 6 p.m., police said the incident was concluded.

Chaboyer said there continues to be a strong police presence in the community, located northeast of Nipawin.

“Right now there’s a lot of police presence up and down the highway,” he said. “They’re still conducting an investigation.”

As required by law, the RCMP has asked for an outside agency to investigate the death, with the Moose Jaw Police conducting this one.

The RCMP have also requested the Ministry of Justice appoint an independent investigation observer as per the Saskatchewan Police Act.

The four other individuals arrested during the incident remain in custody and Saskatchewan RCMP continues to investigate. Details on charges will be provided when available.

Police have not yet updated the public on the status of their search for Alvin Thomas, the 39-year-old man charged with the death of Hocksbergen.

Alvin Thomas is being sought by police for a homicide in Cumberland House. Days later, a standoff in the community resulted in the death of a 22-year-old man from Prince Albert. (Submitted photo/RCMP)

Thomas is being described as 5-11 with black hair and brown eyes, has a tattoo with the word “Pritch” in cursive on the back of one hand and the letters AT and DM on the other hand below his thumb.

Thomas has connections to Cumberland House, Nipawin and Prince Albert but police did not know where he was yesterday.

He faces one charge of second-degree murder for Hocksbergen’s death.

Hocksbergen’s wake starts with services tomorrow and Sunday and her funeral is scheduled for June 6 at the Veteran’s Hall in Cumberland House.

It is after that the community will ramp up efforts to contain growing issues with gangs and other violence, said Chaboyer.

In another blow to the community, Megan Gallagher, a missing woman being investigated as a homicide by Saskatoon Police is closely connected to Cumberland House and is Chaboyer’s cousin.

Two of the four people wanted in connection with Gallagher’s death have been arrested and police continue to look for John Wayne Sanderson, 44 and Jessica Sutherland, 42.

Ernest Whitehead and Roderick Sutherland have both been arrested and charged with committing an indignity to human remains.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow

by Susan McNeil

Chief, RCMP confirms death following standoff in Cumberland House

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