Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
On May 28, 2024 at approximately 1:25 p.m., Melfort RCMP received a report of an adult male with a firearm on James Smith Cree Nation.
A Melfort RCMP officer was already in the community and immediately responded. They confirmed there were no injuries associated with the incident. The officer located a male as described in the initial report and attempted to speak with him. The male attempted to flee on foot and became combative when the officer approached him. The officer deployed a conducted energy device and arrested the man.
A firearm was located and seized at a nearby residence. A second adult male was arrested at a separate residence shortly after.
As a result of subsequent investigation, 28-year-old Philip Head from Kinistino is charged with:
– one count, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, Section 88(2), Criminal Code;
– one count, careless use of a firearm, Section 86(1), Criminal Code; and
– one count, resist/obstruct peace officer, Section 129(a), Criminal Code.
26-year-old Reno Sanderson from James Smith Cree Nation is charged with:
– one count, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, Section 88(2), Criminal Code;
– one count, careless use of a firearm, Section 86(1), Criminal Code;
– two counts, fail to comply with release order condition, Section 145(5)(a), Criminal Code; and
– four counts, weapons possession contrary to order, Section 117.01(3), Criminal Code.
Philip Head is scheduled to appear in Melfort Provincial Court on June 3, 2024. Reno Sanderson is scheduled to appear in Melfort Provincial Court on June 17, 2024.