Mounties arrest second suspect in Big River First Nation triple stabbing case

RCMP officers in Saskatchewan have arrested the second suspect in a triple stabbing case on the Big River First Nation.

The case began on Saturday, when the Mounties reported three stabbing incidents on the First Nation, saying two men were suspects in the case, including 29-year-old Ryan Lachance. Police said the suspects were armed and dangerous, and warned the public not to approach them.

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According to police, three people were stabbed on February 15. The first victim, a woman, was allegedly stabbed after an altercation at a home, and was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. About 10 minutes later, police were alerted to a stabbing at a second home on the Big River First Nation.

“Investigation determined a group of people entered the residence and stabbed a male. The injured male was taken to hospital with injuries described as non-life threatening,” the RCMP said.

Then, 20 minutes later, police got another report saying a second man had been stabbed at a third home on the First Nation. He was airlifted to hospital by STARS.

According to police, one of the suspects later attempted a carjacking in Victoire, located just south of the Big River First Nation. Police said the driver was threatened by a man with a machete, but the armed robber was unable to steal the vehicle and fled on foot.

In an update on Tuesday, the RCMP said the third stabbing victim was a suspect in the first two attacks. The 25-year-old was arrested upon his release from hospital, and is now facing charges of aggravated assault, robbery with a weapon, and break and enter.

According to the latest update from the RCMP, Ryan Lachance was found and arrested at a home on the First Nation on Wednesday evening. He’s now facing charges including aggravated assault, robbery and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose in connection with the stabbings. After his arrest, police also charged him with possession of ammunition contrary to a prohibition order and failing to comply with a release order.

Police said Lachance is also facing unrelated charges of aggravated assault and failing to attend court.

He’s expected to appear in a Prince Albert courtroom on Thursday.