(file photo)

By Susan McNeil

Death in James Smith

SIRT releases more details into James Smith death

Apr 30, 2025 | 11:52 AM

A few more details into the circumstances surrounding the death of a 29-year-old man on the James Smith Cree Nation have been shared by the Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT).

SIRT is investigating as the man was in the custody of Melfort RCMP members at the time.

RCMP officers from the Melfort detachment were called to a home in James Smith on April 28, just before 8 am.

They attended along with three members of the James Smith peace keeping security team and found the man in the home. Bear spray had been discharged.

Officers attempted to de-escalate the situation with conversation while the man was still inside the residence. He was told he was going to be taken into custody under the Mental Health Services act and ran out the back door.

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Officers pursued on foot and took him into custody a short time later without the use of force.

He was handcuffed and one member had withdrawn their Conducted Energy Weapon during the chase but it was not discharged.

The weapons track how many times they are discharged and the type of discharge, including contact with skin or if the barbs are used.

The man went into medical distress shortly after being arrested and was given CPR and several rounds of naloxone.

EMS arrived at 9:43 and took over his care but pronounced him dead at the scene.

As is required by Saskatchewan law, SIRT investigators (which include civilian and law enforcement personnel) arrived and began their own investigation into the conduct of the responding members.

They will look at the circumstances surrounding the man’s arrest and the cause of his death.

The RCMP will maintain responsibility for any investigation into the original incident.

No further information will be released at this time. A final report will be issued to the public within 90 days of the investigation ending.

SIRT’s mandate is to investigate alleged cases of serious injury, death, sexual assault or interpersonal violence arising from the actions or omissions of on and off-duty police officers, or while an individual is in police custody.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: @susanmcneil.bsky.social