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Trials set for alleged gang members accused of shooting at police

March 7, 2021 – Trials have been set for two alleged street gang members accused of shooting at police who were pursuing them on Onion Lake Cree Nation.

A four-day trial will run in Lloydminster Provincial Court July 5-8, 2021, for Glynnis Larene Chief, 37.

Chief has been in custody at Pine Grove Correctional Centre for women in Prince Albert since her arrest New Year’s Day. She was denied bail in January and North Battleford Crown Prosecutor Oryn Holm continues to oppose her release.

Chief and four others (Twaine Derek Buffalo-Naistus, Danny Lee Weeseekase, Tyler Ryan Wolfe,

and Melissa Lee McAlpine) were arrested after allegedly shooting at the RCMP during a pursuit on Onion Lake Cree Nation Jan. 1, 2021.

Chief is charged with discharging a firearm with intent to endanger life, being an occupant of a vehicle knowing there was a firearm, careless use of a firearm, possession of a firearm without a license, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, possession of a prohibited weapon, and assault of a police officer with a weapon.

Holm said he expects there to be 14 witnesses.

North Battleford legal aid lawyer Cameron Schmunk represents Chief.

A trial will be held in Lloydminster Provincial Court Aug. 9 _ 12, 2021, for thirty-eight-year-old Weeseekase. He is charged with breach of recognizance for possessing a weapon, discharging a firearm with intent to endanger life, being an occupant of a vehicle knowing there was a firearm, careless use of a firearm, possession of a firearm without a license, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, possession of a prohibited weapon, and assault of a police officer with a weapon.

Weeseekase also remains in custody.

When police searched the black SUV the five were in they found two SKS rifles, a sawed-off shotgun, a sawed-off 22-caliber rifle and ammunition.

RCMP say the five were identified as street gang associates. North Battleford RCMP General Investigation Section took over the investigation.

Onion Lake state of emergency

The North Battleford RCMP gang unit, called the Crime Reduction Team (CRT), continues to help Onion Lake RCMP combat gang activity. RCMP CRT members collaborate with communities and partner agencies to reduce gang violence and activity. There are two CRTs operated by the RCMP in Saskatchewan; one is in North Battleford and the other is in Prince Albert.

Onion Lake Cree Nation declared a state of emergency in January 2020 after a string of drug and gang-related violence threatened the safety of the community.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 6, 2021.