Online fundraiser created to support carjacking victim

By Nigel Maxwell

A man who was robbed, shot and left for dead last week remains in a hospital bed in Saskatoon.

That’s according to a GoFundMe page created over the weekend for Orlan Peterson. As of Sunday night, the page had raised already raised $30,000 to help cover Peterson’s expenses as he recovers.

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Brad Grolla, the creator of the fundraiser, who identified himself as a friend of the Peterson family, explained that on Thursday morning Peterson arrived at a rural construction site north of Prince Albert near the White Star Road elevator.

“While working alone on the worksite for the day, two unknown vehicles entered the property. One of the persons approached him masked and ordered him around at gunpoint while assaulting him with the firearm. His phone and keys were stolen. Instead of just leaving with his truck, he was ordered into a trailer where he was shot and left for dead,” Grolla wrote.

Grolla explained that Peterson survived and was finally able after about 90 minutes to get himself to the road and get help. He was transported then flown by STARS to a Saskatoon hospital for surgery.

As a result of the gunshot wound, Grolla said that Peterson’s life will never be the same.

“It is unknown at this time how physically incapacitated he will be as a result of the life altering injury. Orlan’s mental health will no doubt need much healing from the fear he endured. There will be more surgeries, rehab, physio, medical appointments etc. in his and his family’s future. It appears Orlan may never work again due to this cowardly random act of violence,” Grolla said.

Grolla said his goal with the fundraiser is to help Peterson and his family with travel expenses, fuel, meals, lodging etc., as he lives two hours from the specialists he will need to visit.

The initial details released in a provincial initial emergency alert on Thursday described as many as three to four suspects in a truck, dressed in black and possibly wearing balaclava or bandanas on their faces. After stealing the RNF Ventures truck, they headed up north on Highway 55, before turning onto Highway 123 towards Cumberland House.

When they reached the vicinity of Thunder Rapids, the suspect’s vehicle collided with a heavy equipment vehicle that was also on the road.

Two of the people alleged involved, Melissa McCallum and Angus Heathen, were later arrested in the Tobin Lake area, and are expected to appear on Monday morning in Prince Albert Provincial Court..

The last update provided by RCMP was on Friday, and indicated an ongoing search for two more suspects.

RCMP reiterated the difficulty of searching the area because of the dense, thick brush, swampland and mossy and boggy terrain.