Alert lifted, suspects still sought in Saskatchewan First Nation shooting: RCMP

BIG ISLAND LAKE CREE NATION, SASK. — Mounties are still searching for two suspects described as armed and dangerous after a shooting on a Saskatchewan First Nation that left one person dead and at least three others injured by gunshot.

The RCMP have lifted the Dangerous Persons Alert at 4:49 p.m.

“At this time, Sask. RCMP no longer believes there is an imminent risk to the public safety,” said in a statement.

No arrests have been made and Sask. RCMP are “actively investigating.”

“If a renewed risk to public is identified, we will notify the public. Return to normal activity,” RCMP said.

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During a virtual news conference held Tuesday afternoon, Insp. Ashley St. Germaine wasn’t able to provide many details as to the extent of the injuries due to the Privacy Act.

Despite the name of the deceased being shared on social media, St. Germaine said police “cannot share the identity of the deceased a this time due to our responsibility to follow in consultation with the Saskatchewan Coroner Service.”

“Just before 2 p.m., Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes Unit in Saskatoon arrived at the scene of the shooting and they are taking care of the investigation,” she said.

So far, according to police, no additional injured persons have been reported, assuring it would keep the public up to date.

“If anything changes, we will let the public know about anything that may impact their safety,” she said in the news conference.

St. Germaine confirmed the Saskatchewan Major Crimes Unit has two teams working on the case. In addition, North Battleford general investigation section and Prince Albert detachment general investigation section and foresensic section of RCMP are also involved in the investigation.

Saskatchewan RCMP said officers received a report Tuesday morning about a shooting on Big Island Lake Cree Nation, about 392 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon.

Officers found one person dead and three people injured, but did not have details about the victims’ injuries or how many additional people required hospital treatment.

“Saskatchewan RCMP is working to determine whether the shooting is random in nature or targeted,” the police service said in a statement Tuesday.

A dangerous person alert has been issued for the two suspects. RCMP are warning those in an area that stretches from Meadow Lake, Sask., to Bonnyville, Alta., to find a safe location and lock their doors.

“However, we do not provide guidance to other agencies on their hold and secure protocols,” said St. Germaine.

She said Alberta RCMP was notified when the dangerous persons alert was issued.

“Do not share police locations,” RCMP also warned the public. “Stay away from Big Island Lake Cree Nation if you are not already in the area.”

St. Germaine said she understands it’s “problematic to remain in limbo for the community for an unknown period of time, but we are absolutely doing our best to make sure that we aren’t interfering with people’s lives, but we are keeping them safe.”

When asked why she couldn’t provide more details on the case, St. Germaine said it was due to being diligent to “investigational integrity” to locate the proper suspects.

“We’re still on the same day, still the early steps of the investigation, and we want to m ake sure we’re taking every piece of information we have into consideration before we make that decision (to lift the dangerous persons alert),” she said.

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to call the RCMP.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said the government was aware of the shooting and thanked first responders for their efforts “under difficult and evolving circumstances.”

We are aware of the serious incident that occurred early this morning at Big Island Lake Cree Nation. Our thoughts are with the community and all those affected. We thank the first responders for their efforts under difficult and evolving circumstances.

The First Nation remains…

— Scott Moe (@PremierScottMoe) December 30, 2025

“Our thoughts are with the community and all those affected,” he said Tuesday on X.

He said Big Island Lake Cree Nation, as well as seven health centres in the area, are under lock down.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 30, 2025.

– with files from The Canadian Press and 980 CJME’s Florence Hwang