The Saskatchewan R-C-M-P are not impressed with a recent 9-1-1 report of a shooting that was a hoax, reminding the public that they respond to all such incidents in a similar manner and that 9-1-1 calls should only be made for police-related matters and real life-threatening emergencies.

The hoax incident started at around 3:10 p.m. on May 2 when the Indian Head R-C-M-P received a call about a homicide and an armed, active suspect. The caller claimed to be hiding inside a room from the killer after witnessing a shooting inside a home in Montmarte. Only after Indian Head R-C-M-P arrived at the residence, fully equipped with hard body armour and ready to enter, what they were led to believe was, a dangerous situation, did they realize the call was a hoax. The occupants of the residence reported having no knowledge of the call.

The true identity of the caller is not known and Indian Head R-C-M-P has launched a public mischief investigation to determine the origin of the call. During the two hours of the response time to the hoax, Saskatchewan R-C-M-P received 53 calls for service unrelated to the hoax incident requesting police assistance across the province.

By the time the hoax was realized, the following resources had been engaged:

• Indian Head RCMP used an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) drone to obtain a closer view of the residence and the activities inside;
• Fort Qu’Appelle RCMP and the Saskatchewan Highway Patrol who helped to secure the residence to ensure the threat was contained and residents in the community were safe;
• Saskatchewan RCMP Police Dog Services;
• A Conservation Officer from the Provincial Protective Services Branch;
• A Saskatchewan RCMP Crisis Negotiator from Regina;
• Emergency Medical Services were on standby to stage in the event of any injuries;
• Saskatchewan RCMP’s Divisional Operational Communication Centre in Regina;
• Sasktel, who was working to help gather information to trace the origin of the call; and
• A request for assistance from Saskatchewan RCMP’s Critical Incident Response Team, Regina Police Service, and the Saskatchewan Protection and Response Team in the event the incident escalated.