Summary
By Shari Narine
Windspeaker Contributor
STONEY NAKODA NATION
By Shari Narine
Windspeaker Contributor
STONEY NAKODA NATION
(January 9, 2017) The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team is now investigating the death of a First Nations man that occurred this past weekend when the RCMP were serving an arrest warrants at a Morley residence on the Stoney Nakoda Nation.
On Jan. 7, at approximately 4 p.m., the RCMP Major Crimes Unit, with the assistance of the RCMP Emergency Response Team, went to a residence on the Stoney Nakoda Nation to serve three Canada-wide arrest warrants for first degree murder that resulted from the investigation into the homicide of Lorenzo “Billy” Bearspaw.
There were a “number of people” at that residence, said Chief Superintendent Tony Hamori, officer in charge of Southern Alberta District RCMP, although he would not say how many.
One of the suspects was arrested without incident at that time, but “shortly thereafter shots were fired,” said Hamori.
He would not say who shot first, noting that that was part of ASIRT’s investigation.
Ralph Stephens, 27, was transported to hospital where he died about one hour later from the injuries sustained in the shooting.
John Stephens, 29, was arrested. Deangelo Powderface, 22, also identified in the Bearspaw murder, turned himself in to Cochrane RCMP on Sunday.
Bearspaw, 27, had been reported missing by his sister on Jan. 3. RCMP Special Tactical Operations, as well as Police Dog Services, undertook search efforts as part of the missing person’s investigation. On early afternoon Friday, RCMP members discovered Bearspaw’s body on the Stoney Nakoda Nation.
“These events are tragic for the families, first responders and the Morley community,” said Hamori. “On behalf of the RCMP, I want to extend sincere condolences to the families of Lorenzo Bearspaw and Ralph Stephens. I also urge calm in the community while the investigations take place.”
Lynn Neufeld, spokesperson for ASIRT, confirmed that Indigenous member Tom Hewitt, a government employee, who is part of ASIRT’s southern office, will be part of the investigation team.
ASIRT’s mandate is to investigate incidents or complaints involving serious injury or death that may have resulted from the actions of a police officer.