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By Regan Tate

RCMP in Saskatchewan respond to hoax 911 call of shooting

May 5, 2023 | 4:46 PM

Indian Head RCMP in Saskatchewan received one of the most urgent and serious reports they say a detachment can get.

Earlier this week, a caller who is described as being genuinely terrified, reported witnessing a shooting inside a residence in the community of Montmartre. The caller claimed to be hiding inside a room from the killer.

RCMP say there are prepared for these critical calls and an immense police response began immediately. When officers from the detachment arrived, RCMP say they were fully equipped with hard body armour and the resolve to enter a dangerous situation, only to soon realize the call was a hoax.

The occupants of the residence reported having no knowledge of the call. Police made certain all occupants were safe and there was no active threat. The true identity of the caller is unknown at this time. Indian Head RCMP have launched a public mischief investigation to determine the origin of the call.

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

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• 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.

RCMP say during the time period of this response, a two hour period mid afternoon, there were 53 calls for service unrelated to this incident requesting police assistance across the province.

“As Saskatchewan’s provincial police service, we respond to all incidents of this magnitude in a similar manner. We released this list of agencies and specialized units to help illustrate the scope of our operational response required for an unpredictable, potential life-and-death situation. This investigation took time from call-takers and officers who could have been helping someone in a real life-threatening situation, RCMP stated in a release.”

We cannot emphasize enough the importance of ensuring 911 calls are reserved for police-related matters and REAL life-threatening emergencies.