By Sheldon Spackman

April 2021

Man sentenced in central Alberta shooting incidents

Jun 14, 2024 | 3:04 PM

It’s five-and-a-half years in jail for the second of two men charged in a series of shootings on the O’Chiese First Nation three years ago.

Keith Beaverbones, 31, of the O’Chiese First Nation, was sentenced in Red Deer Court of King’s Bench on June 10, 2024, after being convicted on three counts of discharging a firearm with intent to endanger. A fourth count of the same charge was withdrawn.

Beaverbones was also given a firearm prohibition, ordered to submit his DNA, and ordered to have no contact with three victims of the incident during his incarceration.

However, Beaverbones was given credit for 1,744 days of pre-trial custody, meaning he has 263 days left to serve from his 2,007-day sentence.

His co-accused, Zachary Yellowface, 22, a resident of the O’Chiese First Nation, was sentenced on Aug. 14, 2023, to eight years in jail.

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Yellowface was also given a 20-year firearms prohibition after being convicted on four counts of discharging firearm with intent to endanger, and one count of possession of a prohibited firearm. Six other counts were withdrawn.

As part of his sentence, Yellowface is to have no contact or communication, directly or indirectly, with the victims. His sentence is being served in Maskwacis at Pe Saka Stew Centre that specializes in rehabilitation with cultural values and practices.

It was about 5 p.m. on April 5, 2021, when RCMP in Rocky Mountain House received a complaint about a male shot in a home in the Sunchild area.

A second report of a shooting came in a half an hour later at the O’Chiese Marketplace, where police said a second male had reportedly been shot.

Then, just before 6 p.m., a third report of a shooting at a home was received where two men had apparently been shot.

Residents were advised to shelter in place as RCMP searched for the suspects. Police said four adult male victims, 18, 19, 20 and 34, were taken to hospital.

Mounties said the suspects were eventually arrested with help from Air Services and Police Dog Services.

Related: Sentencing set for man charged in central Alberta shootings

Related: Eight-year sentence for one of two charged in central Alberta shootings

Related: Trial dates set for pair charged in central Alberta shootings

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