A community meeting is planned for tonight to discuss recent acts of violence. (submitted photo/CKOM News Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Crime

Shooting incident at James Smith Cree Nation sends one man to hospital

May 20, 2025 | 4:27 PM

Three people have been arrested and a fourth suspect is being sought in connection to a shooting incident that happened early Saturday morning at James Smith Cree Nation (JSCN).

At approximately 2:30 a.m., Melfort RCMP were called to the community and located an injured man at a residence. He was soon after transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries consistent with a gunshot wound.

Through their investigation, police learned the suspects had entered the home sometime between the hours of 11:30 p.m. on Friday and 2:30 a.m. on Saturday. Armed with firearms, they threatened the residents, discharged the gun that injured the man, and assaulted other adult occupants.

Extensive patrols of the community were conducted with the assistance of Saskatchewan RCMP Police Dog Services (PDS), but no suspects were immediately located.

At approximately 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Melfort RCMP received a report of individuals with firearms outside a residence on JSCN. Officers responded immediately.

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Saskatchewan RCMP’s Critical Incident Response Team attended, along with officers from Tisdale RCMP Detachment and Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan (CTSS). Officers determined a vehicle departed the residence and drove down a dead-end road that led to the river.

Officers believed the suspects in the vehicle were connected the incident earlier that day. Upon locating the vehicle, officers arrested a man and two women.

During a search of the vehicle, police located and seized an extendable baton and brass knuckles.

Keistin Deschambeault, 27, of Nipawin, was determined to be wanted on a Regina Police Service warrant for being unlawfully at large.

He now faces a number of additional gun related charges including discharging a pistol with intent to wound. He’s also accused of break and enter, and aggravated assault.

Additionally, 27-year-old Lyric Arcand and 27-year-old Samara Head, both of James Smith Cree Nation, are each charged with break and enter, possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose, robbery with firearm, and possession of prohibited firearm.

Arcand is also accused of pointing a firearm and Head is also facing one count of assault with weapon.

Melfort RCMP are looking for another woman believed to be connected to this incident. Further updates will be provided when available and police do not believe this incident to be random in nature.

James Smith Cree Nation security personnel assisted with this investigation.

A community meeting is being held Tuesday night to discuss recent acts of violence and the ever growing drug crisis.

According to a social media post, the meeting is to develop ‘concrete steps and real solutions.’

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Blue Sky: @nigelmaxwell.bsky.social