A bail hearing for an Onion Lake Cree Nation man was adjourned again due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Christopher Cook, 26, was scheduled to have a show cause hearing on May 11 in Lloydminster Provincial Court.
Cook was arrested after an alleged shooting April 20 and charged with numerous offences including aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, unauthorized possession of a firearm, using a firearm in committing an offence, and discharging a firearm with intent.
Onion Lake RCMP say they responded to a call about a man who was shot at a residence on the Cree Nation, which remains under a state of emergency since January.
The pandemic has forced the adjournment and delays of court cases across the province but bail hearings and sentencing for in-custody accused are still going ahead by either telephone or video-conferencing at the 13 permanent court locations that remain open.
Cook allegedly shot his 50-year-old neighbour, who lived across the street. Cook was arrested by police without incident. The 50-year-old man was given medical treatment and taken to hospital.
North Battleford Provincial General Investigation Section of the RCMP, North Battleford Forensic Identification Service, and the North Battleford Police Dog Service assisted in the investigation. RCMP officers from Onion Lake, Glaslyn, and Turtleford Detachments, as well as the Maidstone RCMP Roving Traffic Unit also responded.
OLCN sits on 188,000 acres and has three townships. Their leadership declared a state of emergency Jan. 24 after gang and drug-related violence threatened the safety of its 4,000 residents. It’s not known, however, if this incident is connected to recent gang violence on the Cree Nation.
The charges against Cook haven’t been proven in court.
Cook is now scheduled to appear in Lloydminster Provincial Court May 14 for a bail hearing.
