On Oct. 18, 2019, Battlefords RCMP responded to a call of an injured male in a residence on the 100 block of 26th Street West in Battleford. Officers arrived to locate an adult male with serious injuries. He was transported by local EMS to the hospital and was later declared deceased. The RCMP Major Crimes Unit North (MCU-North) with the assistance of several specialized RCMP units, determined that 27-year-old Ryan John Gatzke was the victim of a homicide.
After an eight-month investigation lead by MCU-North, four people have been charged in relation to the murder of Ryan Gatzke.
25-year-old Jacob Joseph Ballantyne of Edam is charged with: second degree murder; break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence; disguise with intent; carry a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence; pointing a firearm; possession of firearm without a licence ; unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle; possession of a restricted firearm while prohibited.
22-year-old Isaac Melko of North Battleford, is charged with: second degree murder; break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence; disguise with intent; carry a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence; possession of firearm without a licence; unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle.
23-year-old Charles Michael Lewis McLean of North Battleford is charged with: manslaughter; unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle; break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence.
An 18-year-old male resident of North Battleford who was 17-years-old at the time of incident and cannot be named in accordance with the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act has been charged with: second degree murder; break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence; disguise with intent; carry a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence; possession of firearm without a licence; unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle; possession of a restricted firearm while prohibited.
McLean, Ballantyne and Melko have been remanded for a first appearance in North Battleford Provincial Court on Tuesday, May 19 at 9:30am. The first court appearance of the 18-year-old male will be released once confirmed.
