Shots fired at La Ronge RCMP, investigation continues

On Sunday, June 19, shots were fired at police in La Ronge. Multiple people were arrested in relation to the incident after an emergency alert was issued. 

Around 11:30 am on June 19, two La Ronge RCMP officers were patrolling the community when a black car drove past RCMP at an alarming speed on Far Reserve Road. RCMP turned on their emergency equipment to initiate a traffic stop, but the vehicle continued to drive and turned into a driveway on the 100 block of Far Reserve Road.

The male driver fled the area and one officer followed, both on foot. The second RCMP officer was outside the police truck when a second male left the car with a firearm and started shooting at the vehicle and the officer, leaving damage to the vehicle's windshield and front radiator. The RCMP responded to the shots with their own. 

The two officers moved to a safe location and more La Ronge RCMP officers arrived on the scene. 

There was a gathering at the residence where the black car was parked, resulting in multiple people arrested, including a male and female whom an investigation determined were also inside the black car and went inside after shots were fired. A third female from the car was unaccounted for. 

RCMP reported a drone flying above officers on the scene, stating,  “While we understand the public’s interest in serious incidents, its presence and unknown intent impacted police officer safety. An RCMP officer on scene called out on a loud hailer and a message was included in the emergency alert update asking the operator to stop using their drone.” Shortly after, the drone activity ceased. 

The RCMP Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) responded around 4:30 pm. Three more people, two males and one female left the house and were arrested. 

In all, 17 people were arrested in relation to the incident. RCMP stated as a result of the investigation, 15 people were released without charges and were determined to not be involved. The investigation is ongoing, with more updates to come. 

As of now, the whereabouts of three individuals are still being determined. RCMP are on the lookout for the initial male who fled the area on foot, the male who shot at the RCMP, and the female within the car. 

RMCP is on the lookout for 29-year-old Terrance Daigneault (also goes by Terrance Kenny) who has been charged with:

• Two counts, Attempted Murder with Firearm – Sec. 239(1)(a) of the Criminal Code;
• Two counts, Discharge Firearm with Intent – Sec. 244(c) of the Criminal Code;
• Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose – Sec. 88 of the Criminal Code;
• Two counts, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm – Sec. 92(1) of the Criminal Code;
• Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle – Sec. 94 of the Criminal Code;
• Two counts, Obstruction – Sec. 129(a) of the Criminal Code;
• Failing to Comply with a Release Order – Sec. 145(5) of the Criminal Code.

Daigneault is 5’8” tall, 180 lbs with a medium build, brown eyes and brown hair. He has a tattoo on his right forearm that reads “No regrets” and one on his right hand that reads “Kenny.” He was last seen wearing black shoes, black pants, and a black long-sleeved shirt with gold designs down both sleeves.

RCMP are also on the lookout for 36-year-old Allan Sanderson, who has been charged with: 

• Obstruction – Sec. 129(a) of the Criminal Code;
• Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle – Sec. 94 of the Criminal Code.

Sanderson is described as being 5’4” 134 lbs with a slender build, brown eyes and black hair. He was last seen wearing black shoes, black pants, and a black t-shirt with a white logo on the back.

They are known to frequent the Saskatoon, La Ronge, Ile-a-la-Crosse, Beauval and Buffalo Narrows areas. Police do not know if the two are currently together or if they have access to a vehicle.

Around 4:30 p.m. La Ronge RCMP received a report of two people trying to get inside a residence on Cook Crescent approximately seven kilometres away. RCMP officers responded immediately and after a foot chase, two youths were arrested. An investigation determined this was unrelated to the incident on Far Reserve Road. The youths were not charged.

The emergency alert was cancelled by the Saskatchewan RCMP around 5:35 pm, on June 19. The Saskatchewan RCMP continues to ask the public to be vigilant and report any tips and information related to this investigation to the police by calling La Ronge RCMP at 306-425-6730, call 310-RCMP or 911 in an emergency. Anyone with information can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously and may be eligible for a reward: 1-800-222-8477.

No RCMP officers were injured during the incident and no other injuries have been reported to the police. The Prince Albert RCMP General Investigation Section (GIS), with the assistance of Saskatoon, Yorkton and Regina RCMP GIS, has taken charge of the investigation, which is ongoing at this time. There will be a continued police presence on Far Reserve Road during the investigation.

The release states that units assisting with the initial response and/or subsequent investigation include: La Ronge RCMP officers and Detachment Services Assistants, Waskesiu RCMP Detachment, Saskatchewan RCMP CIRT, RCMP Police Dog Services, Prince Albert RCMP Traffic Services, Saskatchewan RCMP Forensic Identification Section and conservation officers with the Provincial Protective Services Branch.

“In conjunction with this call for service our La Ronge RCMP officers responded to, there was a Children’s Festival happening in the community, garage sales and people enjoying the sunny weekend weather. La Ronge RCMP received an additional six calls for service in the same time period they were managing this dangerous situation,” shares S/Sgt. Dean Bridle, La Ronge RCMP Detachment Commander. “Police officers were also following up on tips from the public as a result of the emergency alerts. When an incident is unfolding, there is a lot going on and many risk factors our responding police officers must consider, the scope of which are far-reaching and public and police officer safety must always be top of mind. I am grateful for the kind words our detachment received from members of our community following the conclusion of the incident and thank the people we encountered yesterday who cooperated with police and followed direction. We didn’t want anyone to be hurt. We hope the information we are releasing today gives the public more insight into the seriousness of what occurred.”