In a Brandon, Manitoba court on Thursday, it was revealed that a 43-year-old man from Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, Jeremy John Blacksmith, claimed that the 21-year-old victim, Blaze Tacan, who he is accused of killing, shot himself. Blacksmith, facing charges of second-degree murder and two other weapons offenses, pleaded not guilty to the August 2023 shooting death of Tacan.
Another individual, who was 17 at the time of the incident, was also apprehended in connection with the homicide but remains unidentified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. The tragedy unfolded on August 5, 2023, when Virden RCMP responded to reports of a shooting in Sioux Valley. Tacan was discovered at the scene and rushed to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
During Blacksmith’s trial at the Court of King’s Bench in Brandon, a two-hour video statement recorded the day after the shooting was screened. Blacksmith portrayed the victim as a bully, alleging that he had seen Tacan brandish what appeared to be a firearm in his pants. When questioned by RCMP investigator Mark Walker, Blacksmith maintained his innocence, insisting he had no involvement in the incident.
Witness testimonies presented in court depicted a sequence of events where Blacksmith engaged in a confrontation with Tacan, resulting in the fatal shooting. One witness recounted seeing Blacksmith shooting Tacan, causing him to collapse. Another witness claimed to have observed Blacksmith retrieving an object and firing at Tacan. Furthermore, it was disclosed that a sawed-off shotgun, concealed in a red and black sweater, was recovered at the crime scene by responding RCMP officers.
Const. Tirrell Lukye, one of the initial officers on-site, testified to finding the concealed shotgun and capturing photographic evidence of the discovery. Additionally, forensic specialist Loli Huang, testifying remotely from Ontario, disclosed the presence of gunshot residue on the hands of both Blacksmith and the unidentified youth.
The trial, presided over by Justice Elliot Leven, is anticipated to conclude by the end of the following week, with proceedings scheduled to continue on Friday.