PBCN leaders respond to fatal shooting in Pelican Narrows, plan trip to Ottawa

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Acknowledging that the investigation is ongoing and that a heavy police presence remains in the community, Beatty assured residents that leadership is doing everything it can to address safety concerns, including a security checkpoint at the community’s only entrance. 

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Another measure that has been implemented is the stoppage and inspection of all ATVs.

Beatty also indicated that next week, leaders will fly to Ottawa and plan to meet with federal ministers about the violence their residents are facing.

“We’ll be waiting for their response on how they can support Pelican Narrows.” 

PBCN Vice-Chief Justin Halcrow stated that the community’s health funding has not changed since 1995, even though the population has increased by 83 per cent. 

“We’re dealing with a lot more people at our clinic and we are getting a lot more in terms of mental wellness,” he said.

Halcrow also stated that since the community’s first state of emergency in 2023, there has been no response from the federal government. 

Fellow councillor Olivia Custer acknowledged that during the crisis, members of the security team, health staff and community came together.

“What happened on Monday is not who we are. This is being done to us by organized crime, addictions and decades of neglect.” 

Custer also explained, with the opening of the commercial fishing season the community is developing a permit system so fishing cannot be used as a cover to bring drugs or alcohol into the community. 

In the days following the violent events, community members have reached out to paNOW to share their concerns. One person wondered whether enough was being done to support residents in the community while community officials and staff took trips to Niagara Falls in January and Kananaskis – the latter trip occurred just after the latest state of emergency was declared. 

Chief Beatty confirmed the trips were funded through their wellness groups. 

“These were pre-planned and already on their calendar. Nobody could foresee what was going to happen.” 

Beatty added the shooting occurred just one day after the province’s Community Safety Minister, Michael Weger, toured Pelican Narrows. 

“We know the community of Pelican Narrows is on edge because of this shooting, and other recent violent events,” inspector Ashley St. Germaine, acting officer in charge of the Saskatchewan RCMP’s major crimes branch, said in a statement.

In the meantime, RCMP are asking the public to report any information about the suspect in the shooting. They released a video on Wednesday showing a man dressed in all black running past the camera with a gun in his hand.

“We know the community of Pelican Narrows is on edge because of this shooting, and other recent violent events,” inspector Ashley St. Germaine, acting officer in charge of the Saskatchewan RCMP’s major crimes branch, said in a statement.

“Our number one priority right now is the safety of Pelican Narrows residents. Homicides are solved with the help of witnesses. We know there are people in the community who have information and have not shared it with police. If you do – or if you recognize the suspect in this video – please call police or report what you know to Crime Stoppers immediately.

“Help us bring this person into custody, ease community fears, and start the justice process for those affected by this crime.”

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 nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell