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The Onion Lake Circuit Court remains closed due to COVID-19 and any matters proceeding are being heard in Lloydminster Provincial Court.

The pandemic forced the closure of all circuit courts in March and some re-opened in June but Onion Lake hasn’t. Matters scheduled for Onion Lake Circuit Court were initially adjourned to June and then to July 15.

All 13 permanent provincial court locations remained open during the pandemic but with restrictions. Front-end clerk counter service was - and still is - closed to the general public. Only lawyers, prosecutors and the accused are allowed to attend provincial courts. Many of the matters are being heard with only the judge and a clerk in the courtroom with lawyers, the Crown and defendants appearing by telephone.

The case against an Onion Lake Cree Nation man facing weapons-related charges after allegedly shooting his neighbor was adjourned. Christopher Cook, 26, appeared July 6 in Lloydminster Provincial Court and was to elect how he wants to be tried. 

Cook was released on bail May 14. He is charged with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, unauthorized possession of a firearm, using a firearm in committing an offence, and discharging a firearm with intent.

He was arrested April 20 after Onion Lake RCMP responded to a call that a 50-year-old man was shot on Onion Lake Cree Nation. EMS treated the man at the scene before taking him to the hospital.

RCMP officers from Onion Lake, Glaslyn, and Turtleford Detachments, as well as the Maidstone RCMP Roving Traffic Unit responded. North Battleford Provincial General Investigation Section of the RCMP, North Battleford Forensic Identification Service, and the North Battleford Police Dog Service assisted in the investigation.  

Cook is now scheduled to appear in Onion Lake Circuit Court on July 20 to speak to the matter.