Suspect fatally shot during arrest in Morley homicide, ASIRT takes over investigation

RCMP were serving arrest warrants for three suspects related to a murder investigation on the Stoney Nakoda First Nations near Morley, Alta. Saturday afternoon, when shots were fired.

One suspect was killed in the incident, another is in police custody and the third turned himself into Cochrane RCMP Sunday evening.

RCMP identified three suspects in the homicide of Lorenzo “Billy” Bearspaw, whose body was found by Mounties on Jan. 6 on the Stoney Nakoda First Nation.

“The warrants were for first-degree murder for all three,” Chief Supt. Tony Hamori, with Alberta RCMP, said Sunday.

At around 4 p.m. Saturday, RCMP went to a home on the Stoney Nakoda First Nation to execute Canada-wide arrest warrants for 29-year-old John Stephens, 27-year-old Ralph Stephens and 22-year-old Deangelo Powderface, wanted for first-degree murder in the death of Bearspaw.

READ MORE: RCMP search for missing man Lorenzo Anthony Bearspaw

One of the suspects was arrested without incident but a second suspect, Ralph Stephens, engaged police when shots were fired.

“There were a number of people inside the residence at that time,” Hamori said.

“Ralph Stephens was taken to hospital, where he later died.”

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READ MORE: ASIRT investigating after shots fired in Morley during arrest Saturday: RCMP

RCMP said Deangelo Powderface, the third suspect in the investigation, turned himself in Sunday evening.

 “He is considered dangerous. I wouldn’t want him to be approached by anyone,” Hamori said.

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RCMP continue to investigate the homicide of the 27-year-old. Initially, they sent out a release asking for the public’s help in locating Bearspaw, who had been missing since New Year’s Day. He was first reported missing by his sister on Jan. 3.

Watch below: RCMP Supt. Tony Hamori gives the timeline of a missing persons investigation that led to shots being fired and a suspect killed during a warrant execution Saturday.

2:13 Man shot by RCMP in Morley wanted for murder

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has taken over the case and continues to investigate the RCMP shooting incident.

“These events are tragic for the families, first responders and the Morley community,” Hamori said.

“On behalf of the RCMP, I want to extend sincere condolences to the families of Lorenzo Bearspaw and Ralph Stephens. I also urge calm in the community while the investigations take place.”

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John Stephens remains in police custody and is expected to have his first court appearance this week.

“Investigators have been speaking to witnesses and moving the investigation forward,” Hamori said. “They obviously got it to a point where they could get arrest warrants for these three individuals.”

He added there is still an RCMP presence on the First Nation since investigations and interviews continue. 

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Watch below: After RCMP executed arrest warrants, John Stephens was taken into custody, Ralph Stephens was shot. 

3:14 ‘He is considered dangerous’: RCMP on suspect at large

*EDITOR’S NOTE: this article was originally published at 5:58 p.m. on Jan 8, 2017 and was updated at 8:50 p.m. to clarify the third suspect police were searching for turned himself into Cochrane RCMP.