RCMP are looking for this side-by-side in connection with the shooting of four people on Big Island Lake Cree Nation in December. (Image Credit: submitted/RCMP)

By Susan McNeil

Investigation continues

White side-by-side sought by RCMP was used in two shootings at Big Island Lake Cree Nation

Feb 10, 2026 | 12:11 PM

Saskatchewan RCMP have released video in the hopes of catching whoever shot four people on Big Island Lake Cree Nation, killing one, last last year.  

Officers have video of a side by side that that they believe was used in two shooting incidents on December 30.  

“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,” said Insp. Ashley St. Germaine, senior investigative officer with Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes Branch. “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,”

A video has been posted to YouTube that shows the white side-by-side with a black roof driving on multiple streets in the community.  Police are looking for the suspects who were on it.

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Pierceland detachment responded to a report of multiple gunshots on Big Island Lake just after 5 a.m. on Dec. 30.

Initially, they found an injured youth in one home and a second injured youth in another nearby home.  

Both were taken to hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries. They had been together when they were shot by the suspects.  

While members from Pierceland, Meadow Lake and Loon Lake were investigating that call, another call came in about a second shooting at 6 a.m.

They found 31-year-old-Neil Wahpistikwan with gunshot wounds and immediately began trying to resuscitate him until EMS arrived and took over his care. He was declared dead at the scene, however. 

While they were at the scene of the second shooting, officers learned of a fourth victim. He was an adult and had been with Wahpistikwan when both were shot.  

EMS attended to him at a third home and he then taken to the hospital with serious injuries that were not life-threatening.  

Early investigation showed the incidents were connected, but police couldn’t confirm if the shootings were random or targeted. An emergency alert was issued just after 8 a.m. and ended later that day.

Since then, officers from the Homicide Investigation Unit have been attempting to identify and locate the suspects. They have interviewed key witnesses, collected and reviewed video surveillance, and are looking for more information about the side-by-side.  

“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,” said St. Germaine.  

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. 

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). 

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com