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A 15-year-old boy is facing four charges of first-degree murder in connection with a quadruple homicide case on Saskatchewan’s Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation.
According to the RCMP, the boy was arrested on the First Nation on Tuesday, and is facing the murder charges in relation to the deaths of Tracey Hotomani, Sheldon Quewezance, Shauna Fay and Terry Jack on February 4.
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The teen cannot be named publicly due to provisions of Canada’s Youth Criminal Justice Act.
The victims are 34-year-old Tracey Hotomani of Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation, 44-year-old Sheldon Quewezance of Zagime Anishinabek, 47-year-old Shauna Fay of Indian Head and 51-year-old Terry Jack of Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation. (Saskatchewan RCMP)
Darrius Racette, 18, is also facing four first-degree murder charges in connection with the deaths. He was arrested in the Yorkton area Tuesday.
“Investigators are confident that these two individuals are responsible for these homicides, and that the home where these homicides occurred was targeted,” said inspector Ashley St. Germaine, a senior investigative officer with the Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes branch, said on Wednesday.
St. Germaine said the investigation is ongoing.
“We could come across information or be told information that could lead us in a different direction and that may lead to additional arrests,” she said.
“It could lead to additional charges being laid in consultation with our crown, but our process doesn’t end now that we’ve got somebody charged and in court.”
While the arrests came more than two weeks after the alleged murders, assistant commissioner Rhonda Blackmore, commanding officer of the Saskatchewan RCMP, noted that complicated criminal cases like this one can take time to investigate thoroughly.
“I understand that from the outside, it may seem like this wasn’t a quick resolution, but I think it’s important for the public to realize investigations like this are incredibly complex,” Blackmore said.
“Conducting solid investigations that help bring justice to those impacted by crimes is one of the best ways we can build and maintain trust with the communities and the people we serve. We owe it to those who rely on us as their provincial police service to be meticulous and exhaustive in our efforts.”
Family speaks after boy makes first court appearance
The 15-year-old boy will remain behind bars after making his first court appearance by phone on Thursday morning in Regina Provincial Court.
His aunt – who cannot be named in order to protect the identity of the teen – spoke to reporters outside the courtroom with tears in her eyes.
“It’s shocking. It’s very, very shocking. I could never imagine what the parents were feeling or what they are going through,” she said.
“My condolences go out to their families that lost someone… It’s just so hard to believe and take in as an auntie.”
She reflected on the moment she found out her nephew had been arrested and charged with the murders.
“I couldn’t hold back my tears,” she said. “My heart just aches so much.”
She said the news caught her completely off guard.
“I always say, ‘expect unexpected,’ and this is something that was totally unexpected,” she said.
“Never would have thought in a million years that one of my nephews would be involved in something like that.”
The woman said she will be in court to support her nephew during the legal process, and described the boy as outgoing and spontaneous.
The teen is scheduled to be back in court on March 5.
Community feeling better
The Chief of Carry the Kettle, Scott Eashappie, said he was glad to hear there had been arrests and a lot of the fear was now gone from the community. However, he said they’re also still in shock, and that’s something they’re going to have to deal with as a community.
Eashappie said a community meeting was planned for March 1 to go over what happened. He said he’s planning to take direction from the nation on what people want to see going forward to make sure something like these murders never happens again.
–with files from 980 CJME’s Abby Zieverink and Lisa Schick