By rdnewsNOW staff

Shooting investigation underway

Rocky Mountain House RCMP respond to incidents on Sunchild and O’Chiese First Nations

Dec 23, 2020 | 9:40 AM

Over a period of three days, Rocky Mountain House RCMP responded to three different incidents at the Sunchild and O’Chiese First Nations involving guns, a pursuit and threats.

Police say two of the incidents have been cleared with charges while a shooting incident remains under active investigation.

The first incident on Dec. 17 at 12:30 p.m. saw RCMP dispatched to a disturbance in progress at the O’Chiese First Nation where a male was alleged to be smashing up a residence and threatening to kill neighbours.

Responding members contained the residence and negotiated with the suspect male to exit. The male came out armed with a knife and began walking towards and threatening the RCMP members. He alternated between being outside and inside, and threatening to shoot the police.

At one point, according to police, he exited the residence with an object wrapped in a blanket, which he pointed at police. Eventually, he complied with directions, dropped the object, which turned out to be a cane, and after a brief struggle, was taken into custody.

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Rodney Wayne Strawberry, 31, is facing eight criminal charges as a result of this incident, including assault police officer with a weapon.

On Dec. 18 at 7:00 p.m., RCMP responded to a complaint of a shot fired outside a residence on the Sunchild First Nation. Police say no one was injured, and the suspects fled in a vehicle which was known to the RCMP.

Several responding units contained the area and located the suspect vehicle. A traffic stop was attempted but the vehicle failed to stop and a pursuit was initiated. Police Dog Services (PDS) and the Emergency Response Team (ERT) were both deployed and Drayton Valley RCMP provided resources to assist.

During the pursuit, RCMP says a firearm was discharged towards the police before a spike belt was used to successfully stop the suspect vehicle.

Mounties say multiple occupants then got out of the suspect vehicle and fled on foot into the woods. Police surrounded the area and three suspects surrendered to the RCMP prior to ERT arrival. Two more males were located and arrested after being tracked by police dogs. Firearms were also recovered and seized.

Elliott John Lagrelle, 38, Evan Redcalf, 26, Sonya Lynn Chipaway, 20, Livia Eaglestar Goodrunning, 26, and Seth Lagrelle, 18, are jointly facing six criminal charges. Elliott Lagrelle is facing a further seven charges including fail to comply with conditions of an undertaking and assault with a weapon against a police officer. Redcalf is facing four further charges, and Chipaway charged with uttering death threats.

Mounties say it is “very fortunate that no one involved – neither the original complainant, the police nor the accused – was injured throughout these events.”

Then on Dec. 19 at 4:55 a.m., Rocky Mountain House RCMP responded to assist with a male at a residence on the Sunchild First Nation.

The male, who was outside of the residence and suffering from a gunshot wound was transported to the hospital. An investigation was launched, with assistance from the General Investigation Section (GIS).

The male remains in hospital and the RCMP are looking to speak with witnesses as part of their investigation into the incident.

“The Rocky Mountain House RCMP is striving to work with O’Chiese and Sunchild First Nations in an effort to restore community safety” says Staff Sergeant Carl Dinsdale.

“I recognize that these incidents are wearing on the spirit of both the communities and our Members. The leaders and Elders from both Sunchild and O’Chiese First Nations, as well as the Rocky Mountain House RCMP, are extremely concerned about the rise in violent crime. We intend to remain diligent in our escalated efforts to suppress the crime that has been happening. It is vitally important that the communities support and assist the police with these investigations by coming forward with any information they might have.”

If you have information about the above investigations, or any other crimes or suspicious activities, contact the Rocky Mountain RCMP at 403-845-2881.