The Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) says two RCMP officers came upon five people in a wooded area near Deschambault Lake.  In a news release from SIRT it indicates there was a confrontation with a man from Deschambault Lake and the two responding officers fire their guns.  The man was hit by a bullet and although officers provided medical assistance the man died at the scene.

A firearm and several replica firearms were located and seized at the scene. No police officers were physically injured.  Four other people were arrested at the scene and two of them were released without charges being laid.

However, SIRT indicates a man from Pelican Narrows who was already wanted and on the run in connection to a separate Deschambault Lake RCMP investigation has been charged.  Thirty-one-year-old Earl Ballantyne from Pelican Narrows is charged with reckless discharge of a firearm  and possession of a prohibited weapon. Earl Ballantyne was also arrested on an outstanding warrant in relation to a July 25th incident where police say a group of people assaulted and confined the victim, but the victim was later able to escape and was treated at hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

Twenty year old Sherri Custer from Deschambault Lake is charged with breach of an undertaking in relation to the investigation into the person held against their will. Both will appear in Prince Albert Provincial Court via video on Monday.

The Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team was notified by the RCMP and is investigating the circumstances of the officer-involved shooting.

Saskatchewan RCMP’s Prince Albert, North Battleford and Saskatoon Provincial General Investigation Sections are investigating the initial call for service received by Deschambault Lake RCMP.