A recent death on Star Blanket Cree Nation has resulted in a second-degree murder charge against a teenager. The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, leading to an investigation by the File Hills First Nations Police Service and the Saskatchewan RCMP's Homicide Investigation Unit. The accused is a male youth, whose identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Context
On Wednesday, February 19, 2026, at approximately midnight, the File Hills First Nations Police Service (FHFNPS) received a call to a residence on Star Blanket Cree Nation. Officers found a deceased male inside the home. Due to the FHFNPS lacking a Major Crimes Branch, the Saskatchewan RCMP's Homicide Investigation Unit was brought in to lead the investigation. A male youth was arrested at the scene. The youth is scheduled to appear in Provincial Court in Fort Qu'Appelle on Thursday, February 20, 2026. The RCMP have stated that the victim and the accused were known to each other, but have not released further details regarding their relationship or the victim's identity.
Evidence
Date of Incident: "just after midnight on Wednesday" (Article 1), "just after midnight on Wednesday" (Article 3), "a few minutes after midnight on Wednesday" (Article 4).
Location: Star Blanket Cree Nation (Articles 1, 2, 3, 4).
Responding Police: File Hills First Nations Police Service (FHFNPS) initially responded (Articles 1, 2, 3, 4).
Investigating Unit: Saskatchewan RCMP's Homicide Investigation Unit took over the case (Articles 1, 3, 4).
Charge: Second-degree murder (Articles 1, 2, 3, 4).
Accused: A male youth (Articles 1, 2, 4). Identity not released per the Youth Criminal Justice Act (Article 4).
Victim: A dead man located inside a residence (Articles 1, 3). Victim and accused known to each other (Articles 1, 3). Victim's identity and cause of death not released (Article 3).
Court Appearance: Scheduled for Thursday, February 20, 2026, in Fort Qu'Appelle Provincial Court (Articles 1, 2, 4).
Police Involvement and Jurisdiction
The File Hills First Nations Police Service (FHFNPS) is responsible for policing on Star Blanket Cree Nation. However, FHFNPS does not have a Major Crimes Branch, which is required for investigating homicides. Therefore, the FHFNPS contacted the Saskatchewan RCMP to take full carriage of the investigation. This is a standard procedure when local police services require specialized resources for serious crimes. The RCMP's Homicide Investigation Unit then assumed control of the case.
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Details of the Incident
Officers arrived at a residence on Star Blanket Cree Nation following a call reporting a homicide. Inside the home, a deceased male was discovered. A male youth was arrested at the scene. The timing of the call to police is consistently reported as being just after midnight on Wednesday.
Court Proceedings
The youth charged is expected to appear in Provincial Court in Fort Qu'Appelle on Thursday, February 20, 2026. The specific court date indicates the swiftness with which legal proceedings have begun following the arrest.
Expert Analysis
"When a death occurs in a community policed by a First Nations Police Service that lacks major crime capabilities, it is routine for jurisdiction to be transferred to the provincial or federal RCMP. This ensures that experienced investigators and resources are brought to bear on complex cases, maintaining the integrity of the investigation and the justice process." - This quote is a generalized statement based on the provided context of police jurisdiction transfer, not a direct quote from an identified expert in the source material.
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Conclusion
A teenager is facing a second-degree murder charge following a death on Star Blanket Cree Nation. The incident, which occurred shortly after midnight on Wednesday, required the involvement of the Saskatchewan RCMP's Homicide Investigation Unit due to the File Hills First Nations Police Service's jurisdictional limitations for such cases. The victim and the accused were known to each other, though specific details remain undisclosed. The youth is scheduled for a court appearance on Thursday.
Sources
CBC News: "Teen charged with 2nd-degree murder after homicide on Star Blanket Cree Nation" - Published 5 hours ago. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/rcmp-charge-youth-in-homicide-on-star-blanket-cree-nation-9.7097059 - Provides key details on the charge, location, police response, and court appearance.
CKOM: "Teen boy facing murder charge after death on Star Blanket Cree Nation: RCMP" - Published 6 hours ago. https://www.ckom.com/2026/02/19/teen-boy-facing-murder-charge-after-death-on-star-blanket-cree-nation-rcmp/ - Corroborates the charge, location, and police involvement, highlighting the jurisdictional transfer.
MBC Radio: "Teenager charged with murder on Star Blanket Cree Nation" - Published 6 hours ago. https://www.mbcradio.com/2026/02/19/teenager-charged-with-murder-on-star-blanket-cree-nation - Confirms the charge, the discovery of a man's body, and the relationship between the victim and suspect.
CJWW Radio: "Teen arrested in connection to homicide investigation" - Published 9 hours ago. https://www.cjwwradio.com/2026/02/19/teen-arrested-in-connection-to-homicide-investigation/ - Details the initial police response, the jurisdictional transfer, and the charge, noting the protection of the youth's identity.
