(File photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Logan Lehmann

Crime

Two arrested after trying to shoot police during traffic stop

Apr 17, 2025 | 4:08 PM

A man and a woman are in police custody after one of them tried to shoot an officer during a traffic stop.

It happened on Tuesday morning when Battlefords RCMP first received a report of a man with a firearm on Mosquito, Grizzly Bear’s Head, Lean Man First Nation.

Investigation found that the man had damaged an SUV parked at a residence on the reserve, and then pointed a firearm at two women who exited the home to confront him. The man then drove away in the SUV without the consent of the owners. No injuries were reported.

Officers responded and quickly located the SUV parked at a business on Battleford Road in North Battleford. Police then initiated a traffic stop and when the officers approached the vehicle on foot, the male driver exited the SUV and pointed a firearm at one of the officers, pulling the trigger. He did so multiple times while pointing it at police, but the firearm did not discharge.

The driver then re-entered the SUV and sped off at a high rate of speed. In the process, a female passenger who had exited the SUV was arrested at the scene without incident. She was not identified.

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Officers pursued the fleeing SUV which was driving erratically through ditches and over meridians, eventually disabling the vehicle on Railway Avenue in North Battleford. The driver then exited the SUV, armed with a knife, and harmed himself. Officers managed to disarm and arrest the man and provided medical aid until EMS arrived. The man was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Upon searching the vehicle, officers found a loaded firearm. No other occupants were in the SUV.

As a result, officers have handed 22-year-old Keenan Chakita of Lloydminster with a list of charges, including one count each of:

• pointing a firearm
• assault on peace officer with a weapon
• possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
• careless use of a firearm
• unauthorized possession of a firearm
• possession of a firearm when knowing possession unauthorized
• possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle
• dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
• operation of a motor vehicle while impaired
• flight from peace officer
• possession of a firearm/ammunition when prohibited

Chakita is scheduled to appear in North Battleford Provincial Court on April 21.

“The reality is, this situation could have ended very differently. Pointing a firearm at anyone is an extremely serious and dangerous act. Thankfully, no one was injured by the firearm in this case, but it’s a stark reminder of the risks RCMP officers take every day to keep residents safe,” says Insp. Ryan How, the officer in charge of Battlefords RCMP. “I am proud of all our officers who responded to this incident and their commitment to protecting the Battlefords detachment area.”

Battlefords RCMP continue to investigate.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com

On Bluesky: @loganlehmann.bsky.social