RCMP lay charges against 2 men in connection with Big River First Nation stabbings

RCMP say one of the people they initially identified as a victim in a trio of stabbing incidents on the Big River First Nation this weekend is now a suspect.

The stabbings on the First Nation, located approximately 100 kilometres northwest of Prince Albert, were first reported on Saturday.

Between approximately 3:50 p.m. and 4:20 p.m. CST on Saturday, Big River RCMP received reports of three separate stabbing incidents, each with a single victim.

Police say the first stabbing was reported at 3:50 p.m. CST. A woman was left injured after an altercation between a man and a woman.

The second incident was reported at 4 p.m. CST, after a group of people entered a home and stabbed a man. 

RCMP say the first two victims were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Police say they received reports of another stabbing at 4:20 p.m. CST and located an injured man at a third residence. That man was transported to hospital by a Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service (STARS) helicopter.

In an update provided Tuesday, RCMP say they now believe the third victim, Jacky Lachance of Big River First Nation, is now a suspect in the first two stabbings. He was arrested upon his release from hospital.

Jacky Lachance, 25, is now charged with:

• Two counts of aggravated assault.
• One count of robbery with a weapon.
• One count of break and enter.

He's scheduled to appear in Prince Albert provincial court on Feb. 18, 2025.

RCMP say they are still working to locate 29-year-old Ryan Lachance. He's described as 5'6" and approximately 150 pounds, with a teardrop tattoo under his left eye. 

Police say Ryan Lachance has been charged with: 

• Two counts of aggravated assault.
• Two counts of robbery.
• One count of possession of a weapon with a dangerous purpose.
• One count of mischief under $5,000.
• One count break and enter.
• Two counts of failure to comply with a release order condition. 

He is also wanted by Big River RCMP in relation to an unrelated aggravated assault from November 2024.

While police were responding to the third stabbing incident, they received a report of an attempted robbery in the area of Victoire, Sask., a community located near the First Nation. They determined that a man threatened a driver with a machete before fleeing on foot after failing to steal the vehicle.

RCMP say Ryan is considered to be armed and dangerous. They're asking the public to not approach him.

Ryan may be in a stolen, black KIA Optima with Saskatchewan license plate 649 NPP. However, his location at this time is unknown.

Anyone with information about the location of Ryan Lachance or the KIA Optima is asked to contact police immediately. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crimestoppers.