Sheldon Badger was sentenced on Sept. 17 at Prince Albert Provincial Court. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

Man fires several shots at police before hiding in septic tank: court

Oct 7, 2024 | 2:35 PM

A man who fired several shots at police, before hiding in a septic tank, has received an eight-year prison sentence.

Sheldon Badger, 24, appeared at Prince Albert Provincial Court and in relation to the events that occurred on April 10, 2024, guilty pleas were entered to a number of offences including discharging a firearm with intent to injure a police officer; possession of a firearm knowing he did not possess a license; and breach of a previous order by possessing a firearm.

Badger had also been charged with attempted murder but that charge was withdrawn by the Crown.

On the day of the incident, members of the RCMP’s Warrant Enforcement and Suppression team went to Ahtahkakopp Cree Nation to arrest Prentice Bowman.

Bowman and Badger were together and observed running to a wooded area in the direction of house 851.

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Police gave chase and while standing at the edge of the treeline, Badger pointed a sawed off firearm in the direction of one of the officers. The gun appeared to have a large barrel and had some sort of red colouring on it.

Using his police vehicle as cover, and roughly 20 to 25 feet away from Badger, the officer drew his own gun and yelled at Badger to drop the gun.

“[The police officer] heard the accused say either “[expletive] you” or “[expletive] you guys” and then immediately fired the gun at [the police officer],” an agreed statement of facts explained.

“[The police officer] then a heard a loud bang and saw the muzzel of the gun pointed at him, flash.”

The officer immediately sought shelter behind their vehicle and returned fire with three to four shots.

Badger then moved south along the tree line and fired a second round of shots, before running in the direction of the police vehicle where the officer had ducked for cover and was in the process of reloading.

At this point two women emerged from house 851 and yelled at Badger to stop and to put his gun down.

Another officer arrived on scene at a high rate of speed and angled the vehicle towards Badger, who then fled in an unknown direction.

Fortunately neither the officers nor Badger were injured during the exchange of gunfire.

One of the bullets did however hit a nearby house and the people living there were home at the time. They told police they had heard several popping sounds and one bullet came through the house.

Badger was later found hiding in a septic tank. And upon emptying the septic tank, officers found and recovered the rifle he used.

According to the agreed facts, the officer who had initially exchanged gunfire with Badger, has not yet returned to work and it is uncertain whether he ever will.

In addition to the custodial sentence, Badger is also prohibited for life from owning or possessing any firearms or explosives.

The day after the sentencing, Badger’s mother provided a statement for paNOW:

“I feel that we should have had more time to come up with some more support for my son Sheldon during that situation in court. It felt unorganized and we could have been more prepared for that because Sheldon does have support and people who loves and cares for him,” she said.

Bowman, the man who was with Badger, was recently arrested in relation to a separate shooting incident at Ahtahkakoop and has a pending court date. At this stage of proceedings, no pleas have been entered.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell