Standoff in Neepawa

Details

Published on Thursday, August 30, 2018

Suspect in RCMP officer shooting arrested

Editor's note. Though it is not a necessity, the Banner & Press has blurred the face of the officers to protect their identities, should undercover work be a requirement.

By Eoin Devereux

Neepawa Banner & Press

The manhunt for a suspect connected to the shooting of an RCMP officer near Onanole came to a dramatic end in Neepawa on Thursday, Aug. 30. At around 11:45 a.m., RCMP arrived at the scene, a home on 3rd Avenue. It was believed and later confirmed that the fourth suspect related to the overnight shooting near Onanole was inside. The three other suspects had already been arrested. 

Police closed off the area between Mill and Brydon Street near Hazel M. Kellington School for just over three and a half hours. The school was evacuated as a precaution with 15 staff members sent home. There were no children on the scene, as the school year has not yet started.

An extremely heavy police presence surrounded the area for several hours, with armed tactical units and police dogs being called to the scene. Near the end of the standoff, an RCMP tactical armoured vehicle arrived. Shortly after that vehicles’ arrival, what sounded like several flash-bang grenades appear to have been set off. A few minutes later, the suspect was brought out by officers and placed under arrest.

This entire series of events started the night before when police were called to a home just outside Onanole for a break-and-enter call at about 9:30 p.m.

In a media release, RCMP assistant commissioner Scott Kolody said as officers got out of their vehicle, gunfire erupted [from the vicinity of the building] and an RCMP corporal was shot. In a press conference after the arrest of the fourth suspect, RCMP superintendent Scott McMurchy noted that the officers did not shoot back, as the uninjured officer was concerned about getting his partner, who had been struck by gunfire, immediate medical attention. 

After the shooting, the suspects fled and RCMP set up roadblocks and check-stops while they conducted the search. Three of the suspects were tracked down Thursday morning, but the fourth suspect was able to escape to a home in Neepawa.

Charges laid

RCMP have laid 21 charges against the four men in connection with the shooting near Onanole. Police are alleging that 18-year-old Therae Racette-Beaulieu of Sandy Bay First Nation was the one who pulled the trigger of the gun that wounded the RCMP officer. He has been charged with two counts of attempted murder.

The three other men connected to the incident are from Portage la Prairie. The other individuals have been identified as 21-year-old Tommy Edward Beaulieu, 30-year-old Shane Donovan Beaulieu and 23-year-old Delaney Marcus Houle, 23. All four are charged with two counts each of breaking and entering, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and weapons-related offenses. All the suspect remain in custody.

Therae Racette-Beaulieu, 18, Sandy Bay First Nation

- Attempted murder with firearm x2
- Breaking and entering x2
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
- Weapons possession contrary to order and fail to surrender authorization
- Possession of firearm/weapon/device/ammunition in motor vehicle

Tommy Edward Beaulieu, 21, Portage la Prairie

- Theft of vehicle
- Breaking and entering x2
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000
- Weapons possession contrary to order and fail to surrender authorization
- Fail to comply with a probation order

Shane Donovan Beaulieu, 30, Portage la Prairie 

- Breaking and entering x2
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000
- Weapons possession contrary to order and fail to surrender authorization

Delaney Marcus Houle, 23, Portage la Prairie

- Breaking and entering x2
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000
- Possession of firearm/weapon/device/ammunition in motor vehicle

All have been remanded into custody. Shane Beaulieu appeared in Brandon Provincial Court earlier today. Delaney Houle, Tommy Beaulieu and Therae Racette-Beaulieu are all scheduled to appear in Brandon Provincial Court on Tuesday, September 4th.

The investigation is continuing by the Major Crimes Unit and further charges are possible.