A 22-year-old man has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder after RCMP say he fatally shot two people then set their home on fire in September 2021.
The remains of Brent Denechezhe, 31, and Leona Tssessaze, 24, were found after the fire on the remote Northlands Denesuline First Nation, located at Lac Brochet in northern Manitoba.
Leon Paul Mercredi was arrested Monday in Fond du Lac, Sask., where police say he fled after committing the crimes. He is from Northlands Denesuline.
RCMP do not believe anyone else was involved, which is important for the community and families to know in order to begin their healing, said Supt. Rob Lasson of the RCMP’s major crime services.
“Today, we do have a man in custody and some answers for the family and community. But that is not to say this is over,” he said.
“This double homicide has no doubt had a profound effect on a very tight-knit community.”
Denechezhe, Tssessaze, and Mercredi were socializing at the home of Denechezhe on Sept. 9, 2021, when Mercredi left following a disagreement, RCMP say.
He then returned with the gun and shot the couple. He left and then returned a second time to ignite the fire, police say.
Northlands Denesuline is located about 1,000 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg and accessible only by air or winter roads.
While investigators do not believe anyone else is involved in the shooting, they are still asking anyone with information to call the tip line at 431-489-8112.