WARMAN — A suspicious death being investigated by the Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crime Unit has now being treated as a homicide. The deceased male has been identified as James Swift, a 40-year-old male from Saskatoon.
Police say his family has been advised of his death and supports have been made available.
Two men arrested late in the afternoon on Aug. 29 have been charged in relation to the death of James Swift.
Anthony Burley, 28, from Saskatoon, and Colton Lischka, 29, from Saskatoon, are both charged with:
- one count, second-degree murder;
- one count, attempted murder;
- one count, robbery; and
- one count, flight from peace officer.
This afternoon, an arrest warrant was issued at the request of the Saskatchewan RCMP for Ashtin Ritzand, a 28-year-old male from Saskatoon. He is charged with:
- one count, second-degree murder;
- one count, attempted murder;
- one count, robbery; and
- one count, breach of an undertaking.
Shortly before 3 p.m. this afternoon, Ashtin Ritzand turned himself in and was arrested without incident at the Saskatoon RCMP Detachment.
Anthony Burley and Colton Lischka will be remanded into police custody and will make their first court appearance Wednesday in Saskatoon. Ashtin Ritzand will appear in court in Saskatoon on Sept. 1.
The female arrested Monday afternoon has been released from police custody.
On Aug. 29, at approximately 6 a.m., Warman RCMP received a report of two injured individuals near the intersection of Penner Road and Rural Road 3050.
Police officers and EMS responded. An adult male was declared deceased by EMS at the scene.
An adult female was also located at the scene and transported to hospital with serious injuries.
Police say the deceased male and injured female were travelling in a white Honda Civic with three men when the vehicle stopped near the intersection of Penner Road and Rural Road 3050 and an altercation occurred. The three men fled in the vehicle,
Late in the afternoon on Aug. 29, Saskatchewan RCMP officers attempted a traffic stop related to this investigation in the Evergreen neighbourhood of Saskatoon. The vehicle did not stop and police say they determined that the occupants fled on foot. Police officers located one adult female and two adult males on Marlatte Street in Saskatoon and arrested them.
Police say the white Honda Civic has been recovered and there will be an increased police presence on Marlatte Street as the Saskatchewan RCMP’s Major Crime Unit continues to investigate.
Police issued a request to the public to help locate one outstanding male, Ashtin Ritzand. He subsequently turned himself in.
Saskatchewan RCMP’s Major Crime Unit is investigating with the assistance of Warman RCMP, Corman Park Police Service and Saskatoon Police Service.
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