Saskatchewan RCMP make several arrests in suspicious death, serious assault

Saskatchewan RCMP made multiple arrests after a man was found dead near the outskirts of Saskatoon on Monday and a woman was taken to hospital.

Police say on Monday around 6 a.m., Warman RCMP received a report of two injured people near the intersection of Penner Road and Rural Road 3050.

Police officers and EMS responded and a woman was found and taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Forty-year-old James Swift from the RM of Corman Park was declared dead at the scene.

The Saskatchewan RCMP major crimes unit is investigating with help from Warman RCMP, the Corman Park Police Service and the Saskatoon Police Service.

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“Investigation determined the deceased male and injured female were travelling in a vehicle with three men. The vehicle stopped near the intersection of Penner Road and Rural Road 3050 and an altercation occurred,” the RCMP said in a release.

RCMP added the three men fled in a white Honda Civic.

Later in the afternoon on Monday, Saskatchewan RCMP officers tried to stop a vehicle related to this investigation in the Evergreen area of Saskatoon.

The RCMP say the vehicle did not stop and investigators determined the occupants fled on foot.

Officers found one woman and two men on Marlatte Street and arrested them, the white Honda Civic was recovered, and the woman was later released.

The major crime unit said 28-year-old Anthony Burley of Saskatoon, and 29-year-old Colton Lischka of Saskatoon are both charged with:

• one count of second degree murder;
• one count of attempted murder;
• one count of robbery; and
• one count of flight from a peace officer.

A warrant was also put out for 28-year-old Ashtin Ritzand of Saskatoon, and he turned himself in just before 3 p.m.

Officers said Ritzand is charged with:

• one count of second degree murder;
• one count of attempted murder;
• one count of robbery; and
• one count of breach of an undertaking.

Burley and Lischka make their first court appearance on Wednesday, and Ritzand makes his first court appearance Thursday.

In an emergency, police advise calling 911. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or http://www.saskcrimestoppers.com.