An alleged street gang member accused of shooting at RCMP has pleaded guilty.
Danny Lee Weeseekase, 38, from Makwa Sahgaiehcan First nation, changed his not guilty plea to guilty in Lloydminster Provincial Court today.
Weeseekase was arrested on Jan. 1, 2021, after an incident where Onion Lake RCMP were shot at while pursuing a black SUV. His trial was set for Aug. 9 – 12 but won’t proceed after he pleaded guilty April 26 to two charges. The charges include, with intent to endanger the life of an RCMP officer did discharge a firearm at the officer, and driving a vehicle while being pursued by police and failing to stop.
RCMP say they were pursuing a black SUV on Onion Lake Cree Nation when a firearm came out of one of the SUV’s windows and multiple shots were fired at the RCMP. No one was injured.
The SUV was finally stopped in front of the Onion Lake high school. When police searched the SUV they found two SKS rifles, a sawed-off shotgun, a sawed-off 22-caliber rifle and ammunition.
They arrested Weeseekase, along with Tyler Wolfe, Twaine Naistus, Melissa McAlpine, and Glynnis Larene Chief.
According to RCMP, the accused are alleged street gang associates.
North Battleford RCMP General Investigation Section took over the investigation. The North Battleford RCMP gang unit, called the Crime Reduction Team (CRT), continues to help Onion Lake RCMP combat gang activity. RCMP CRT members collaborate with communities and partner agencies to reduce gang violence and activity.
Onion Lake Cree Nation has been battling gang activity and declared a state of emergency in January 2020 after a string of drug and gang-related violence threatened the safety of its residents.
If you are associated with a gang and want to leave it, contact STR8 UP in northern Saskatchewan at 306-763-3001, STR8 UP in central Saskatchewan at 306-244-1771, or Regina Treaty Status Indian Services in southern Saskatchewan at 306-522-7494 to get assistance.
Onion Lake Cree Nation borders the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan and is located about 50 kilometres north of Lloydminster.
ljoy@glaciermedia.ca
