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Possible resolution in case where police shot at while pursing SUV

There may be a resolution in the case against a Lloydminster woman charged in connection to a Jan. 1, 2021, incident where Onion Lake RCMP were shot at while pursuing a SUV.
gang arrest
An RCMP officer arrests an alleged gang associate at gunpoint after RCMP were shot at during a pursuit. (Contributed photo)

There may be a resolution in the case against a Lloydminster woman charged in connection to a Jan. 1, 2021, incident where Onion Lake RCMP were shot at while pursuing a SUV.

Melissa McApine, 32, is charged with discharging a firearm with intent to endanger life, being an occupant of a vehicle knowing there was a firearm, and assault of a police officer with a weapon.

On April 7, lawyer Don Smith told Lloydminster Provincial Court that North Battleford Crown Prosecutor Oryn Holm had proposed a resolution in the matter.

“I just have to meet with (McAlpine) to discuss it,” said Smith, who requested a one-month adjournment.

North Battleford Judge Daniel O’Hanlon, who was presiding over Lloydminster Provincial Court, granted the adjournment.

McAlpine, along with Glynnis Larene Chief, 37, Twaine Derek Buffalo-Naistus, 39, and Tyler Ryan Wolfe, 35, all from Onion Lake, along with Danny Lee Weeseekase, 38, from Makwa Sahgaiehcan First nation, were arrested on Onion Lake Cree Nation Jan. 1, 2021.

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 police. 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.

RCMP said the accused are alleged 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.

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.  

The charges against McAlpine, Chief, Naistus, Wolfe and Weeseekase haven’t been proven in court.

Chief’s trial is scheduled to run in Lloydminster Provincial Court in July. Weeseekase’s trial is set for August.  Wolfe is back in court on April 21 and Naistus returns to court May 5.

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.

If anyone has any information that could assist investigators, please contact Onion Lake RCMP at 306-344-5550. Information can also be submitted anonymously to Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submitting a tip online at www.saskcrimestoppers.com.

Onion Lake Cree Nation borders the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan and is located about 50 kilometres north of Lloydminster.