A pursuit that began in Fishing Lake Metis Settlement on Saturday ended with a shot fired at a police vehicle, a search for the suspects through bush, and three people eventually being charged in relation to the event.
On March 5, 2016 at 12:53 p.m., Elk Point RCMP members were dispatched to a complaint of a male pointing a firearm at two people near a residence on Fishing Lake Metis Settlement. On arriving at Fishing Lake Metis Settlement, the RCMP saw what they believed was the suspect vehicle, a small red car, and pursued the suspect. However, said Elk Point RMCP Sgt. Barry LaRocque, this was not the vehicle of the person eventually charged with pointing the firearm. The pursuit made its way north through Frog Lake First Nations but RCMP called off the chase over public safety concerns, as the vehicle's driving pattern was very erratic, according to a RCMP press release.
Another Elk Point member was doing patrols in the Fishing Lake Metis Settlement when the suspect vehicle went past him at an excessive rate of speed. The member turned around and tried to catch up to the suspect vehicle but saw a firearm pointed out the driver’s side of the vehicle, after which a shot was fired at the police motor vehicle.
The suspect vehicle drove in the ditch, and three people, one male and two females, exited the vehicle and ran into the bush.
RCMP members from Bonnyville, Cold Lake, St Paul, Traffic Services, Elk Point and Police Dog Services converged on Fishing Lake to search for the suspects. A RCMP helicopter was also utilized in the search. A firearm was found in the suspect vehicle.
One male and two females were arrested, according to a press release issued on Monday.
In a follow-up release on Tuesday morning, RCMP stated that three people were charged in connection to the events. Nineteen-year-old Austin Donald Crevier of Fishing Lake, was charged with two counts of pointing a firearm and one count of uttering threats, in association with the original complaint of the pointing of the firearm. He will appear in St. Paul provincial court on April 7.
Two of the suspects of the police pursuit were Enilda Roxanne Lewis, 19, of Frog Lake, and Andy George Lacombe, 20, of Fishing Lake. Lewis is facing one count of obstruction of a peace officer and one count of public mischief and will appear in St. Paul provincial court on April 7.
Lacombe was charged with one count each of discharging a firearm with intent, flight from police, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, possession of a firearm contrary to a court order, resisting arrest, possession of a loaded prohibited while not authorized, unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle, one count of pointing a firearm, and one count of careless use of a firearm. Lacombe is currently arrested in Saskatchewan and will be transported back to Alberta for a yet undetermined first appearance date in court.