The case against two men accused of a shooting on Onion Lake and several carjackings in Lloydminster where people were allegedly shot at has moved to Battleford Court of Queen’s Bench.
A preliminary hearing for Lucas Aaron Oakes, 24, from Makwa Sahaiegcan First Nation, and Jesse Leigh Heathen, 33, from Lloydminster, started but on July 12 ended up going by consent to Queen’s Bench for trial. Preliminary hearings are held to determine if there is enough evidence for an accused to stand trial. What is said during preliminary hearings can’t be published until the accused are either discharged or their trial is over.
It took the collaboration from multiple RCMP detachments across Alberta and Saskatchewan to arrest Oakes and Heathen in July 2020.
Onion Lake RCMP had responded to a report that a man was shot and the suspects, Oakes and Heathen, fled. An hour later their vehicle collided with another vehicle in Lloydminster. Heathen and Oakes then allegedly pointed a firearm at someone and unsuccessfully tried stealing a truck. Minutes later police say they fired two shots at someone inside a second vehicle. In a third attempted carjacking, Oakes and Heathen allegedly assaulted a victim and stole a truck.
The stolen truck was located east of Lloydminster and police called off a pursuit after the truck swerved into oncoming traffic on Highway 16.
Maidstone RCMP found Oakes and Heathen walking on a road near Hillmond and arrested them after their vehicle became stuck.
They were charged with theft of a vehicle, robbery with the use of a firearm, discharging a firearm with intent, assault, uttering threats, unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted weapon, possession of a weapon or prohibited device or ammunition while prohibited, dangerous operation of a vehicle, and flight from police.
None of the charges against the accused have been proven in court.
A trial date hasn’t been set and the two remain in custody.
