Onion Lake - Man who allegedly shot at neighbour in court again

A man who allegedly shot at his neighbour on Onion Lake Cree Nation remains in custody.

Christopher Cook, 26, appeared in Lloydminster Provincial Court via telephone May 4 and the matter was adjourned.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused countless court cases to be adjourned or delayed. Court cases for non-custody accused and docket proceedings at circuit court locations are adjourned until after May 31. Bail hearings and sentencing for in-custody accused are continuing by telephone and video-conferencing at the 13 permanent court locations that remain open.

Cook is charged with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, unauthorized possession of a firearm, using a firearm in committing an offence, and discharging a firearm with intent.

The charges stem from an incident on April 20 just before midnight when Onion Lake RCMP responded to a call about a man who was shot at a residence on Onion Lake Cree Nation.

According to RCMP, the two lived across the street from each other and had an altercation. Police secured the area near the shooting and arrested Cook without incident.

Police and EMS responded and gave a 50-year-old man aid before taking him to the hospital.

The investigation included the North Battleford Provincial General Investigation Section of the RCMP, North Battleford Forensic Identification Service, North Battleford Police Dog Service, as well as RCMP officers from Onion Lake, Glaslyn, and Turtleford Detachments, and the Maidstone Roving Traffic Unit.

OLCN – which has three townships on 188,000 acres - has been under a state of emergency since Jan. 24. The OLCN leadership called the state of emergency after gang and drug-related violence threatened the safety of its 4,000 residents. It’s not known, however, if this incident is connected to recent gang violence on the Cree Nation.

Cook is now scheduled to appear in Lloydminster Provincial Court May 11 for a bail hearing.