On Aug. 8, at 8:41 a.m., two Deschambault Lake RCMP officers encountered five individuals in a wooded area near the community of Deschambault Lake. During the course of the encounter, a confrontation occurred between the officers and one of the five people, an adult male from Deschambault Lake. The two responding police officers discharged their firearms and the adult male was struck. Officers provided initial medical assistance; however, the adult male died at the scene. His family has been notified.
No police officers were physically injured. A firearm and several replica firearms were located and seized at the scene.
Four other people were arrested at the scene. Two were released without charge. As a result of continued investigation:
Earl Ballantyne, 31, from Pelican Narrows is charged with reckless discharge of a firearm, section 244.2(1)(a) of the Criminal (no injuries were reported to police as a result of this) and possession of a weapon, contrary to section 91(2) of the Criminal Code.
Earl Ballantyne was also arrested on an outstanding warrant in relation to a separate Deschambault Lake RCMP investigation.
20-year-old Sherri Custer from Deschambault Lake is charged with breach of an undertaking in relation to the above-linked investigation.
Both will appear in Prince Albert Provincial Court via CCTV on Monday, August 11, 2025.
As per section 46.1(1) of the Police Act, the Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) was notified by the RCMP and is investigating the circumstances of the officer-involved shooting.
Saskatchewan RCMP’s Prince Albert, North Battleford and Saskatoon Provincial General Investigation Sections are investigating the initial call for service received by Deschambault Lake RCMP.
There will continue to be an increased police presence in Deschambault Lake in relation to these ongoing investigations. Initial police response included Deschambault Lake RCMP, Pelican Narrows RCMP, RCMP Critical Incident Response Team, RCMP Traffic Services, RCMP Police Dog Services, RCMP Forensic Identification Services and the Saskatchewan Protection and Response Team.
The Saskatchewan RCMP cannot provide any additional information at this time due to the ongoing SIRT investigation.
