Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
On March 1, 2024, at approximately 1:05 am, Pukatawagan RCMP received a report that someone had been shot at a residence on Crow Rock Drive in the Pukatawagan, Manitoba. Officers responded immediately and located a 16-year-old male with a shotgun wound. He was transported to the Nursing Station.
Investigation determined that Jerome Bighetty, 17, had come to the residence on snowmobile. The victim was outside with Bighetty and Bowden Nicholas, 22. A number of shots were then fired by Bighetty, and the victim was struck. Bighetty and Nicholas fled.
The victim was transported to Winnipeg hospital, where he remains in stable condition.
On March 1, 2024, at approximately 3:05 am, Pukatawagan RCMP received a report of an assault in the community. A 19-year-old female was physically assaulted and received minor injuries. It was determined by police that the assailant was Bighetty.
On March 1, 2024, at approximately 7:45 pm, Pukatawagan RCMP received a report of a robbery with a firearm at a business on Amisk Drive in the community. A 12-year-old male was outside the business on his snowmobile when a male pointed a handgun at him and told him to get off the snowmobile. The male then stole the snowmobile and fled.
Investigation determined the suspect is Bighetty. The 12-year-old was not physically injured. The snowmobile was located a short distance away from the business, but the whereabouts of Bighetty is unknown.
Police have gone to numerous residences and patrolled the area, but have yet to locate Bighetty or Nicholas. It is believed they are together. Bighetty is considered dangerous to the public and is in possession of a firearm.
Bighetty is described as 5’6″ tall, 150 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. He is wanted on warrants for Discharge Firearm with Intent, Robbery with Firearm, and Assault. Nicholas is described as 5’4″ tall, 119 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He is wanted on warrants for firearm- and breach-related charges.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Pukatawagan RCMP at 204-553-2342 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.
Note to media: as per the Youth Criminal Justice Act, an ex parte application was made by the RCMP to a youth justice judge to publish information that identifies a young person as having committed or allegedly committed an indictable offence under the Act. The application was approved as there is reason to believe that the young person may be a danger to others and that the publication of information is necessary to assist in apprehending the young person.