The Saskatchewan RCMP have arrested the man wanted in connection with a string of stabbings on Big River First Nation.
The 29-year-old Ryan Lachance was arrested in a home on Big River First Nation Wednesday evening after a four-day manhunt triggered by three stabbing incidents, each with a single victim, in Big River First Nation on Feb. 15.
On Tuesday, the RCMP said the third victim in the string of stabbings, 25-year-old Jacky Lachance, was now considered a suspect. Jacky was arrested and charged on release from the hospital.
Ryan, the original suspect in the stabbing, was at large when RCMP laid a total of nine charges against him. Now, he has also been charged with four counts of possession of ammunition contrary to a prohibition order and one count of failing to comply with a release order.
Ryan is scheduled to appear in Prince Albert Provincial Court on Thursday.
Big River RCMP were alerted to the first stabbing just before 4 p.m. on Feb. 15, dispatching officers to a home on Big River First Nation.
Police determined that an altercation between a man and a woman resulted in non-life-threatening injuries for the woman. She was taken to hospital for treatment.
Minutes later, a second stabbing was reported at another residence on the First Nation. Police say a group of people entered the home and stabbed a man. He was also taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
At 4:20 p.m., police received word that a third stabbing took place on the First Nation. As a result, a man was transported to hospital by STARS.
While responding to the third stabbing, RCMP received another report, this time concerning an attempted armed robbery. RCMP say that a man approached a vehicle with a machete and threatened the driver. The incident occurred in Victoire, Sask. – located just south of the community. The driver fled the area. The suspect was unable to steal the vehicle and fled in an unknown direction.
Big River First Nation is located approximately 175 kilometres north of Saskatoon.
-With files from David Prisciak
