A quiet northern Saskatchewan community was rocked by violence this week as RCMP laid serious charges following a shooting incident in La Loche.
Dustin Herman Natomagan, a 30-year-old Saskatchewan resident, now faces an attempted murder charge after what authorities describe as a targeted shooting that left one person hospitalized with serious injuries.
Violence Erupts in Northern Community
The incident unfolded on Tuesday when La Loche RCMP responded to reports of a shooting in the small community located approximately 600 kilometers northwest of Saskatoon. Upon arrival, officers discovered an adult victim suffering from gunshot wounds.
"The victim was promptly transported to a local medical facility before being transferred to a larger regional hospital for more comprehensive treatment," according to RCMP officials. The victim's current condition remains undisclosed, though authorities confirmed the injuries were serious.
Swift Police Response Leads to Arrest
Through what RCMP are calling "rapid investigative work," officers identified Natomagan as the suspect and located him later the same day. The 30-year-old was arrested without incident and now faces multiple serious charges:
- Attempted murder with a firearm
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm
- Possession of a firearm contrary to a prohibition order
- Careless use of a firearm
Community Safety Concerns
The shooting has raised concerns about public safety in the northern community of approximately 2,500 residents. La Loche has faced challenges with violence in the past, including a tragic school shooting in 2016 that left four people dead and seven injured.
RCMP have assured residents that there is no ongoing threat to public safety following Natomagan's arrest. The accused made his first court appearance in Meadow Lake on Wednesday, with the case expected to proceed through the provincial court system.
Investigators continue to examine the circumstances leading up to the shooting and the relationship between the accused and victim. The RCMP's major crimes unit has taken over the investigation as the community grapples with yet another incident of firearm violence.
