At 5:08 p.m. on April 5, 2021, Rocky Mountain House RCMP received a complaint of a male shot at residence on the Sunchild First Nation. A second report of a shooting was received at 5:34 p.m. at the Marketplace on the O’Chiese First Nation and reports of second male had also been shot. At 5:55 p.m. a third report of a shooting at a residence was received with two males being reported as having been shot.

RCMP officers from neighboring detachments along with the RCMP Emergency Response Team, Air Services and Police Dog Services PDS) were called in to assist.

With the assistance of the O’Chiese Fire Department, residents were advised to shelter in place.

One suspect was tracked by Air Services and arrested by RCMP members on the ground.

PDS located a track near one of the scenes and as a result a second suspect was located and arrested.

The investigation indicates that the suspects were both travelling on an ATV and then after the initial shooting, the suspects stole the victim’s ATV.

The four adult male victims aged 18, 19, 20 and 34 were evacuated from the scene and transported to a local area hospital.  Two of the victims, the 34 year-old and 19-year-old were then transported by STARS to Calgary and Edmonton hospitals. Three of the victims are reported to be in stable condition. The 34-year-old male was reported to be in serious but stable condition.

Keith Beaverbones (28) and Zachary Yellowface (19) both from the O’Chiese First Nation, have each been charged with four counts of attempted murder.

In addition, Zachary Yellowface has also been charged with:

  • Unauthorized possession of a firearm
  • Possession of a firearm knowing the possession is unauthorized
  • Possession of a prohibited firearm
  • Theft of a motor vehicle
  • Flight from peace officer
  • Resist arrest

After a Judicial hearing both Beaverbones and Yellowface have been remanded and will be next appearing in Rocky Mountain House Provincial Court on April 7, 2021.

“This is a nightmarish situation for everyone involved, including the police, but most importantly for the members of the community” said S/Sgt. Carl Dinsdale of the Rocky Mountain House Detachment. “I’m thankful that there was no loss of life during this event, and grateful for the quick response by members from Rocky Mountain House and surrounding Detachments, as well as local EMS, RCMP Air Services, Police Dog Services and the Emergency Response Team. It was the timely response by all these members, units and partner emergency services that was the key to the quick apprehension of these two suspects without further injury or loss of life.”

As these matters are now before the courts, no further information will be provided.