UPDATE:

Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crime Unit has provided an update.

They are continuing to investigate the suspicious death and serious assault reported to them yesterday. 

A result of the ongoing investigation is the determination that this is now classified as a homicide case.

Two males arrested late yesterday have been charged in relation to the death of James Swift, the deceased assault victim.

28-year-old Anthony Burley, a Saskatoon man, and 29-year-old Colton Lishka, another Saskatoon man, have both been charged with:

  • one count, second degree murder
  • one count, attempted murder
  • one count, robbery
  • one count, flight from peace officer

Then, this afternoon, 28-year-old Ashtin Ritzand of Sasktoon was charged with the following:

  • one count, second degree murder
  • one count, attempted murder
  • one count, robbery
  • one count, breach of an undertaking

Shortly before 3 p.m. in the afternoon, Ritzand decided to turn himself in. He was arrested without incident at the Saskatoon RCMP Detachment.

Burley and Lischka will be remaining in police custody. They both have their first court appearance in Sasktoon tomorrow, August 31. Ritzand will go before the court on September 1. 

ORIGINAL STORY:

Early yesterday morning, Warman RCMP received a report of two injured people just south of the area on rural roads, and police and EMS immediately responded.

According to a release from RCMP, the first responders found an adult woman with serious injuries, and an adult male was declared deceased on scene. 

He has been identified as a 40-year-old from the RM of Corman Park and his family has been notified, but his name will not be released at this time.

Saskatchewan RCMP’s Major Crime Unit is investigating with help from Warman RCMP, Corman Park Police Service and Saskatoon Police Service.

The two adults had been travelling in a vehicle 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 white Honda Civic.

Late yesterday afternoon Saskatchewan RCMP officers attempted a traffic stop in Saskatoon, but the vehicle didn't stop and eventually the three men fled on foot. 

Police officers found and arrested one adult woman and two adult men on Marlatte Street in Saskatoon, and they remain in custody while the investigation continues.

The white Honda Civic has also been discovered and there will be an increased police presence on Marlatte Street as the Saskatchewan RCMP’s Major Crime Unit continues looking into the incident.

Investigators are working to locate one outstanding male, Ashtin Ritzand.

He is a 28-year-old caucasian described as approximately six feet tall with a slender build, red hair and green eyes.

Ritzand should be considered dangerous and should not be approached.

Anyone who sees him or has information on his whereabouts is asked to contact their local RCMP immediately, or in an emergency call 9-1-1.