Open this photo in gallery:
Saskatchewan RCMP Chief Supt. Murray Chamberlin speaks at a news conference in Regina on Monday.Jeremy Simes/The Canadian Press
Two Saskatchewan Mounties were in stable condition Monday after being shot while responding to an assault at a house in Melville, northeast of Regina.
Chief Supt. Murray Chamberlin said the officers were shot around 9:30 p.m. Sunday, as they approached the home. They were taken to hospital in Regina.
Chamberlin said he doesn’t believe the officers returned fire.
Police tactical teams and a dog unit were called in to surround the house, and a four-hour standoff followed into the next morning.
Two people later walked out of the home – a male suspect was arrested and the second person was detained then released.
Chamberlin told a news conference that he was unable to provide any details about the man in custody, as charges had not yet been laid.
Chamberlin also said he didn’t have any information about the gun used in the shooting. He said more information would be made available as the investigation continued.
Chamberlin said he spent the night at the hospital with the injured officers and their families. He declined to provide more details about the officers other than they were listed as stable.
“An incident like this is a stark reminder of the dangers of our job,” Chamberlin said.
“What started off as a report of an assault, something we attend to routinely, ended as a potentially life-changing call for two of our officers.”
STARS air ambulance said a helicopter was called to the scene but didn’t transport patients due to the weather.
“(RCMP) are in our thoughts as a fellow first responder agency,” it said in a statement.
Premier Scott Moe said his thoughts and prayers are with the officers and their families, as well as police colleagues and the Melville community.
“On behalf of the people of Saskatchewan, we are hoping for their full and speedy recovery and stand with all those affected by this senseless act of violence,” he said in a social media post.
Chamberlin said there would be an increased police presence in Melville, as the serious crimes unit continued to investigate.