The Regina Police Service has laid several attempted murder charges, in what it’s calling a complex organized crime investigation.
Police said the charges stem from incidents that took place in Regina in 2019.
“Those charged and those victims of these offences were all associated to or members of the same Saskatchewan-based street gang at the time the offences occurred.”
On three occasions, attempts were made to kill two individuals, once during a home invasion and two drive by shootings, according to police.
On July 7, 2019 a woman, 24, was shot twice inside a home in the 1600 block of Ottawa Street after three people armed with a gun broke into the residence, police said.
Taylor Jay Keshane, 25, Kelly Leo Lonethunder, 28, and Elizabeth Marjorie Pascal, 23, all of Regina, were charged earlier this year with attempted murder regarding the home invasion.
On Sept. 19, 2019 police said they were called to the Regina General Hospital after a man, 34, showed up to emergency suffering from a gunshot wound.
Police said they later learned the victim was walking near the hospital when a vehicle drove up to him and shot him.
Thomas Adam Stevenson, 36, and Glenn Travis Sutherland, 32, both of Regina, were charged in February 2020 with attempted murder.
On Oct. 31, 2019, the same man shot on Sept. 19, 2019, was shot again when the vehicle he was travelling in was the target of a drive by shooting, police said.
Keshane and Justin James Papequash, 30, were charged in November 2019 in relation to this offence.
In February 2020, a 17-year-old, who is not being named in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was also charged in relation to the Oct. 31, 2019 shooting, police said.
Ramie Louis Bellegarde, 40, of the Goodeve District, is charged in all three of the attempted murder cases along with uttering threats and extortion.
Further details surrounding individual charges in the investigation will only be brought up in court, police say.
All of the accused are also charged with commission of offence for criminal organization.
“These types of investigations take time. As soon we had enough time to gather evidence to proceed with charges, we arrested people to ensure public safety,” Zaharuk said.
“Members of the Regina Police Service have worked incredibly hard to bring charges forward in these matters and I couldn’t be prouder of their efforts.”
Zaharuk said gang-related activity is an ongoing issue and something they continue to deal with on a daily basis.
“In 2019 for instance, we had 173 violent firearm offences, we seized 460 guns and 63 people were shot. Many of those people and most of those matters were related to two things – street gang activity or the drug trade,” Zaharuk said.
“We have the same challenges as other Canadian cities in relations to street gang activity, drug trafficking, substance abuse and firearms.”
Bellegarde, Stevenson, Keshane, Lonethunder, Sutherland and Papequash will appear in court June 19. Pascal will appear in court on June 18. The 17-year-old will appear in youth court on June 22.
Police said they are searching for Misty Shay Taypotat, 33, of Regina in connection to the investigation.
Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts is asked to contact police at 306-777-6500 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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