Reports that the suspect in both a Saskatchewan homicide and the shooting of an RCMP officer near Golden was located and arrested in Johnson Heights on Wednesday morning are incorrect. In fact, Sheldon Kyle Thunderblanket was found dead.
Here is the full, unabridged news release from the RCMP released late Wednesday afternoon:
“The RCMP can now confirm that we have located the body of the suspect we were searching for. He was found deceased. A positive confirmation of identification and the exact cause of death is now the subject of a full investigation by the BC Coroner Service. The deceased was located within the identified search area east of Revelstoke. The area will remain closed to allow for a full evidentiary search to be completed.
“We delayed on confirming this information in order to ensure that next of kin notifications had been completed, as well as notifications to all the partner agencies who have a connection or interest in this case. Southeast District Major Crime Unit has lead on the concurrent investigation relating to the initial call near Golden on October 11th.
“The IIO BC ( Independent Investigations Office of BC) has been notified and they will now investigate if there is a connection between the male’s death and the actions of police. Questions related to the IIO BC are best directed to them or by visiting their website www.iiobc.ca.”
The Independent Investigations Office of BC is a civilian-led investigatory body.
Helicopters and more than 65 personnel from the RCMP, SWAT, emergency response, police dogs, police air services, Search and Rescue, CP Police and Parks Canada were involved in the manhunt.
Thunderblanket was wanted for first-degree murder after the body of a woman was found dead on Little Pine First Nation, which is located in west central Saskatchewan Monday night. Then, at about 2:30 pm on Tuesday, a suspect opened fire on Const. Amber Brunner, wounding here in her hand and arm, during a traffic stop related to a stolen vehicle at Donald on the Trans-Canada Highway near Golden.
Police say the suspect refused to follow orders and fired at the officer before stealing another vehicle at gunpoint and fleeing. The RCMP then closed the Trans-Canada between Golden and Revelstoke
