Man shot by RCMP on Stoney Nakoda reserve dies

A man shot by RCMP on the Stoney Nakoda reserve on Saturday has died.

Ralph Stephens, 27, was fatally shot as policeexecuteda warrant for first-degree murder charges in the deathof Lorenzo Bearspaw, also 27, who was reported missing on Tuesdayby a family member.

• Shots fired as police execute warrant near Morley

Police said they found Bearspaw'sbody around12:30 p.m.Fridayon the Stoney Nakoda First Nation.

RCMP alsoidentified two other suspects in the death of Bearspaw John Stephens, 29, and DeangeloPowderface, 22.

Executing warrants

The RCMP major crimes unit and the EmergencyResponse Team descended on a home on the reserve about 4 p.m. Saturday to serve the warrants, said ChiefSupt. TonyHamori, the officer in charge of Southern Alberta.

Theytook one suspect John Stephens into custody without incident.

Police said Ralph Stephens then "engaged police and shots were fired." Hedied in hospital about an hour later.

Hamoridescribed John and Ralph Stephens as brothers and saidthere were a number of people inside the residence at the time.

"These events are tragic for the families, first responders and the Morley community," he said.

"On behalf of the RCMP, I want to extend sincere condolences to the families of Lorenzo Bearspaw and Ralph Stephens. I also urge calm in the community while the investigations take place."

'Have you shot my boy?'

A relative of the Stephens family said he was told it was a chaotic scene when the police arrived.

"My family told me it happened so quick, even my cousin was asking them, 'Have you shot my boy?'"said GeraldPowderface.

"They didn't even answer him, they just dragged him out of the house without no shoes and they're throwing people out of the house left and right. They didn't even answer his question, 'Have you shot my boy?What happened, what's going on here?'"

He said the family is surrounded by community at this time.

"We have a community here that support each other on every matter, especially a matter like that. They all come to the house," he said on Sunday morning.

"There was a lot of people there last night when I left."

Suspect turns himself in

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) is investigating the RCMP's role in theshooting.

John Stephens remains in custody, according to RCMP, awaiting his first court appearance.

Deangelo Powderface turnedhimself in toCochrane RCMP on Sunday.

Anyone with informationis asked to call Cochrane RCMP at 403-932-2211 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers.

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