Two charged in Carry the Kettle murders
Four charges of first degree murder laid against 18-year-old and 15-year-old
February 24, 2025, 10:43 am
Ryan Kiedrowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Four charges of First Degree Murder have been laid against 18-year-old Darrius Racette and a 15-year-old young offender in the murders of four people on the Carry The Kettle First Nation February 4.
In a news conference at RCMP Depot in Regina on Wednesday, Inspector Ashley St. Germaine, Senior Investigative Officer with the Saskatchewan RCMP, Major Crimes Branch officially declared that 18-year-old Darrius Racette has been charged with four counts first-degree murder. The following day the 15-year-old youth was also charged with four counts of first degree murder.
“Continued investigation into the quadruple homicides that occurred on Carry the Kettle Nakota Nation on Feb. 4 has resulted in the arrest of two individuals,” St. Germaine told reporters. “Both were taken into custody yesterday, Feb. 18, 2025. Eighteen-year-old Darrius Racette was arrested in Yorkton and a male youth who cannot be named according to the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was arrested on Carry the Kettle.”
On Feb. 4, at around 11:15 am, the File Hills First Nations Police Service received a report of sudden deaths at a home on Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation. Officers immediately attended to the residence, locating four deceased people inside. Initial investigation ruled all four deaths as suspicious, and the Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes unit was engaged to take over the investigation.
“I again want to share our condolences with the loved ones of the victims and the impacted communities,” said Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore, Commanding Officer of the Saskatchewan RCMP. “The long, lasting effects of a loss of this magnitude are not lost on us. That is why investigations such as this are a top priority for the RCMP.”
From their continued investigation, RCMP believe the home was targeted, and in a previous statement said the victims were injured by firearm. Those victims were identified as 34-year-old Tracey Hotomani of Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation, 44-year-old Sheldon Quewezance of Zagimē Anishinabēk, 47-year-old Shauna Fay of Indian Head, and 51-year-old Terry Jack of Carry the Kettle Nakota Nation.
“From the moment we were notified by File Hills Police Service of a potentially suspicious sudden death on Carry the Kettle First Nation, we sent resources to assist,” Blackmore explained. “As it became clear this was a homicide with multiple victims, the Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes Unit took carriage of the investigation. We dedicated officers from a number of areas to provide support, from maintaining scene security, patrolling, conducting interviews, liaising with file hills and Regina Police Service and the Saskatchewan coroner service, providing updates to families and next of kin and so much more.”
Since this was a targeted incident, an emergency alert was not activated.
“As the investigation unfolded, it was determined the residence where the homicides occurred was targeted and this was not a random act of violence,” confirmed Blackmore. “As such, we did not believe there to be an imminent risk to general public safety, and did not proceed with issuing an emergency alert. Our investigators then focused on identifying the suspect or suspects responsible and determining a possible motive.”
Blackmore credited the efforts of the various police agencies that assisted in the investigation, ultimately leading to the arrests.
“Today, we are able to announce that arrests have been made in relation to this ongoing investigation. I’m incredibly proud of the work that has been done by our officers and the partner agencies that we worked with,” she said. “I understand that from the outside, it may seem like this wasn’t a quick resolution, but I think it’s important for the public to realize investigations like this are incredibly complex. They take time and diligence on the part of police. Our investigators have to be incredibly thorough, not only to be able to enact an arrest, but to ensure the work that they have done supports a successful prosecution of the accused.
“Conducting solid investigations that help bring justice to those impacted by crimes is one of the best ways we can build and maintain trust with communities and the people we serve,” Blackmore continued. “We owe it to those who rely on us as their provincial police service to be meticulous and exhaustive in our efforts. I am confident that is what has happened in this instance, and that is why we’re here and able to provide you with new information today.”
RCMP could not release details regarding how the accused and victims knew each other.
“I can’t comment on the specific nature of the relationship between the accused and the victims,” St. Germaine said. “I can’t provide any information that would lead to the identity of the youth, who can’t be named due to the youth Criminal Justice Act, but that’s part of the investigative process that we’re still determining the extent and nature of those relationships.”
Zagime firearm incident not linked
St. Germaine also addressed a firearms incident at Zagimē Anishinabēk during the same day as the Carry the Kettle murders, verifying that the two incidents were not associated with each other.
“There has been a lot of speculation about whether the individual identified as a suspect in a separate firearms related incident on Zagimē Anishinabēk was responsible for the homicides,” she said. “These two incidents occurred on the same day, within close time of proximity to one another. The RCMP communicated the two incidents together as we wanted to warn the people living in those areas to be aware of any potential threats and to remain vigilant.”
As police attended to both events, no updates regarding suspects on Carry the Kettle was released by police.
“While the investigations unfolded, we did not publicly identify a suspect in relation to the homicides on Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation at that time,” St. Germaine said. “We understand how the conclusion may have been drawn. However, we want to remind the public that police investigations take time and are often incredibly complex, with lots of new information being gathered rapidly. When we have updates relating to investigations that we’re able to release publicly, we ensure that we do that in a timely manner. We thank the public for their co-operation and patience. As these investigations were conducted, officers rely on witnesses and members of the community to come forward with information to further these investigations.”
One man was arrested in relation to the firearms incident on Zagimē Anishinabēk after police found Keagan Panipekeesick, 29, at a residence in Regina. He has been charged with a single count of pointing a firearm, and possession of a firearm while prohibited.
“At the time this was initially reported, we were considering that they could be related,” St. Germaine noted. “As the investigations have unfolded, we’ve determined that those two incidents are not related.”
Police are still investigating these events, and if anyone has any information that might help, they’re advised to contact their local police service or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or saskcrimestoppers.com. Tweet
