Man charged with threats against James Smith Cree Nation security
Saskatchewan Canada July 20, 2023
A 51-year-old man faces charges after several people, including members of James Smith Cree Nation’s security team, were threatened by someone wielding a machete on Sunday.
RCMP said on Monday that the Melfort detachment received a report about an armed man on James Smith Cree Nation around 10:45 a.m on July 16. Police said officers learned a man armed with a machete had been threatening people, including security officers who had initially responded and secured the area until police arrived.
Officers found the man outside a house and told him he was under arrest, police said in the release.
“He did not comply, and assaulted one of the responding police officers. Officers deployed a conducted energy weapon and the male was safely taken into custody,” RCMP said.
The man didn’t report any injuries and the officer reported minor injuries.
A 51-year-old man is charged with assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, assaulting a police officer, three counts of uttering threats and five counts of failing to comply with a release order.
He was scheduled to appear in Melfort provincial court on Monday.
The community’s security team was formed after the deadly mass stabbing on Sept. 4, 2022 at James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon, Sask. Eleven people were killed and 17 were injured. Myles Sanderson, 32, was identified as the lone killer. Sanderson died on Sept. 7, shortly after his capture.
