Saskatchewan RCMP says a man and a youth have been arrested in relation to the shooting deaths of four people whose bodies were found on Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation on Feb. 4.
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Darrius Racette, 18, was arrested in Yorkton on Tuesday, Feb. 18 and has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder. He made his first appearance in Yorkton provincial court Wednesday, according to the RCMP.
A youth, who cannot be named in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was arrested Tuesday on Carry the Kettle.
Charges against the youth are expected to be laid at some point Wednesday, according to RCMP Insp. Ashley St. Germaine, who told reporters she anticipates the charges will “mirror” those brought against Racette.
She did not provide the age of the youth.
The update was provided at RCMP headquarters Wednesday afternoon, at which time St. Germaine said the RCMP had ruled out any connection between the homicides and a firearm incident that occurred on Zagime Anishinabek the same day.
According to the RCMP, on Feb. 4 officers with the File Hills Police Service were called to a home on the First Nation, located about 100 kilometres east of Regina, to investigate four suspicious deaths. Police did not provide details about a possible suspect but said they believed the home was targeted.
RCMP later identified the victims as Tracey Hotomani, 34, of Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation; Sheldon Quewezance, 44, of Zagime Anishinabek, Shauna Fay, 47, of Indian Head; and Terry Jack, 51, of Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation.
Hours after officers received the call on Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation, RCMP said they received reports about a man pointing a gun at people on Zagime Anishinabek, formerly known as the Sakimay First Nation, which is approximately 100 kilometres further east of Carry the Kettle.
The man identified as a suspect in that incident — Keagan Panipekeesick, 29 — was arrested hours after that in Regina by local police.
He is charged with one count of pointing a firearm and one count of possession of a firearm contrary to order.
During Wednesday’s news conference, St. Germaine sought to explain why the two incidents were initially announced at the same time.”
“The RCMP communicated the two incidents together as we wanted to warn the people living in those areas to be aware of any potential threats and to remain vigilant while the investigation was unfolded,” she said.
However, she pressed that RCMP had never named a suspect in the homicide investigation.
“We want to remind the public that police investigations take time and are often incredibly complex,” she said.
— with files from Brandon Harder
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