A tense drama is unfolding in the small northeastern Saskatchewan community of Sturgeon Landing.
A local outfitter says no one is being allowed in or out of the community as RCMP attempt to convince a man wanted for a murder and an abduction in the La Ronge area to give himself up.
Forty-three-year-old Jonas Budd has now been located at his brother’s home in the community of Sturgeon Landing, about 450 kilometers east of La Ronge.
A perimeter has been set up around the home and police have made contact with him — but at last report, he had still not surrendered.
His sister, Joyce Budd, has a message for her brother.
“I want to say to my brother: ‘I love you, I love you more than life itself.’ I want to tell him: “Please come out’,” she sobbed.
Joyce Budd and four other family members are at the junction of a highway about 28 kilometres from Sturgeon Landing. She says the RCMP will not let them get any closer.
Her hope is for a peaceful end. She says there has been enough bloodshed and suffering.
“That is all we want is for him to come out alive. We don’t need to lose him. There is no need to have another dead person involved in this incident,” she said.
Joyce Budd says the standoff at the home has been underway since about 1:00 am today.
RCMP say local residents can expect to see a “larger than normal police presence” in the northern community, with several RCMP units from Manitoba and Saskatchewan on the scene.
The RCMP has taken over the local health centre in Sturgeon Landing to set up a command post. They say they usually do this in any emergency situation.