Police watchdog agency notified after man dies during RCMP call on Onion Lake Cree Nation

Saskatchewan’s Serious Incident Response Team has been notified after a man died during an RCMP call on the Onion Lake Cree Nation.

According to the Saskatchewan RCMP, officers got a report about a woman being forcibly confined at a rural home at around 8:20 a.m. on Wednesday morning, and officers set up a perimeter around the home on the Cree nation northwest of North Battleford.

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“The adult female was able to exit the residence,” the Mounties said in a statement.

“RCMP crisis negotiators communicated with the man and requested he exit the residence safely. At approximately 3:20 p.m., officers entered the residence. The adult male was located inside with injuries and officers provided initial medical assistance.”

Police said the man was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. The man was not identified by police, but the RCMP said his family has been notified of the death.

“Three firearms were recovered from the residence,” the RCMP said. “There is no indication that RCMP officers discharged their firearms during this police response.”

Police said the Serious Incident Response Team was notified of the death, as required by law.

The team is a provincial agency that investigates cases “when someone dies or is seriously injured while in police custody or as a result of a police officer’s actions,” as well as cases of sexual assault or “interpersonal violence” involving police officers.

The incident happened a few kilometres west of the Alberta border, the RCMP noted, and while it took place inside Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction, police said the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team will also be scrutinizing the circumstances around the man’s death.