Photo Courtesy EGP Staff

By Tanner Smith

RCMP

Three people charged after Fort Vermillion shelter-in-place order

May 8, 2024 | 12:06 PM

Fort Vermillion RCMP has provided an update on the shelter-in-place that went into effect on Monday, May 6.

Mounties say around 3:20 p.m. they received a report of shots fired near a home outside of the hamlet, where a man was shot. Police say he has non-life-threatening wounds.

Officers then were informed the suspect vehicle fled towards Fort Vermillion, and a shelter-in-place order was issued.

Shortly after, the suspect vehicle was located at the Fort Vermillion Rodeo Grounds and two of the suspects were arrested near the vehicle.

With help from High Level RCMP and Police Dog Services, a third suspect was then located and arrested, ending the shelter-in-place.

Three firearms were seized by RCMP, one from the suspect vehicle and two more, which were located incidental to the arrests.

Photo Courtesy Fort Vermillion RCMP

As a result of the investigation:

Twenty-eight-year-old Elmer Didzena, a resident of Fort Vermilion, was charged with:

• Attempted murder
• Assault with a weapon
• Three counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
• Ten firearm-related offences
• Aggravated assault
• Assaulting a police officer
• Three counts of failing to comply with a release order
• Five counts of uttering threats
• Five counts of resisting a police officer

Thirty-seven-year-old Ryan Auger, a resident of South Tall Cree was charged with:

• Attempted murder
• Assault with a weapon
• Three counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
• Ten firearm-related offences
• Aggravated assault
• Two counts of assaulting a police officer
• Three counts of failing to comply with a release order
• Three counts of resisting a police officer

Twenty-six-year-old Cryingwind Didzena, a resident of Fort Vermilion was charged with:

• Attempted murder;
• Assault with a weapon;
• Three counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
• Eight firearm-related offences
• Aggravated assault

The trio were remanded into custody with a court date set for May 9 in Fort McMurray.