Two men are charged after a homicide at Beardy’s and Okemasis’ Cree Nation on Friday.
At 6:47 a.m. Sept. 3, Rosthern RCMP received a report from Rosthern EMS of a deceased male located in a truck in a rural area near Beardy’s and Okemasis’ Cree Nation. Based on the circumstances, the RCMP Major Crime Unit North (MCUN) took the investigational lead.
As a result of continued investigation, it was determined the rural truck scene was related to a report Rosthern RCMP received at 1:21 a.m. Sept. 3 about an alleged altercation at a residence at Beardy’s and Okemasis’ Cree Nation. Three individuals reported to be involved were searched for by responding officers and were not located. A second, separate report was received concerning the same residence at 3:55 a.m.
As a result of the connection between the two scenes, a search of the residence at Beardy’s and Okemasis’ Cree Nation was conducted at 7 a.m. by Rosthern RCMP.
In the late afternoon of Sept. 3, the adult male located deceased in the truck was confirmed to be 26-year-old Brandon Cameron from Beardy’s and Okemasis’ Cree Nation and his family was notified. His death is considered a homicide.
Around 12:30 p.m. Sept. 3, Straughn Smallchild, 22, from Beardy’s and Okemasis’ Cree Nation, was arrested without incident by Rosthern RCMP at a residence at Beardy’s and Okemasis’ Cree Nation. He is charged with one count, second-degree murder, section 235 of the Criminal Code. Smallchild was schedueld to appear in Saskatoon Provincial Court on Tuesday, Sept. 7.
On Saturday, Sept. 4, Cory Littlepine, 32, was arrested at a residence at Beardy’s and Okemasis’ Cree Nation in relation to this investigation. He is charged with one count, accessory after the fact to aggravated assault, section 463 of the Criminal Code. Littlepine was also scheduled to appear in Saskatoon Provincial Court on Tuesday, Sept. 7.
Also assisting in this investigation were the Saskatchewan RCMP Emergency Response Team, RCMP Police Dog Services, Saskatoon RCMP Forensic Identification Services and Saskatchewan Coroners Service.
