Two adult males and two male youths have been charged in connection with a case described as having alarming implications for public safety. This investigation and searches carried out on Friday, May 8, 2020, involved the illegal manufacture of firearms and computer-machined firearms parts. This joint investigation involved Regina Police Service Patrol and Tech Crime members as well as integrated units: the Regina Integrated Intelligence Unit (RIIU), National Weapons Enforcement Support Team (NWEST) and Crime Reduction Team (CRT).
On Friday, May 8, 2020, Regina Police Service patrol members were dispatched to the report of a firearm discharged in the 1000 block of Edgar Street. Preliminary investigation indicated a dispute between two groups that began on social media, evolved into an actual confrontation at a suite in the 1000 block of Edgar Street. It’s alleged two male youths used a 2 X 4 board to cause damage to the door of the suite. Moments later a vehicle arrived at the scene and it’s alleged a male inside the vehicle discharged a firearm at the suite occupied by the victims. The suspects all fled the scene prior to police arrival. Through investigation the officers learned the identities of the suspects and potential addresses to check. Police attended a residence on Fines Drive and observed the activity of one male believed to be a suspect in the case. When that individual left the area in a vehicle, officers conducted a high-risk traffic stop and arrested this individual. Police also seized a box containing firearms parts, ammunition and other items from the vehicle. Meanwhile, other officers, still at the residence on Fines Drive, negotiated a second male from the residence. Police seized a firearm part during this arrest. Four more individuals came out of the residence without incident, and police charged two of them – male youths – with mischief under $5000, for damage to the residence on Edgar Street. Subsequent searches of the suspect residence and four vehicles yielded more evidence of firearms manufacture. Two adult males were also charged in connection with this case.
Thirty- seven year-old Gregg Joshua MEYER, of Fillmore, SK, and 37 year-old Jonathan Joseph YURKOSKI, of Regina, are jointly charged with:
- Weapons Trafficking/Manufacture Prohibited Weapon, section 99 CC.
In addition, Gregg Joshua MEYER is charged with:
- 6 X Possession of Prohibited Firearm or Ammunition while Prohibited from doing so, section 117.01(1) CC;
- Use of a Firearm in the Commission of an Indictable Offence, section 85(1)(a) CC;
- Careless Storage of Firearm, section 86(2) CC;
- Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Weapon, Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized, section 92(2) CC;
- Pointing a Firearm, section 87 CC;
- Possession of a Weapon for a Purpose Dangerous to Public Peace, section 88 CC;
- Unauthorized Possession of Firearm in a Motor Vehicle, section 94(1) CC; and
- Possession of a Prohibited Firearm with Ammunition Accessible, section 95(1)(b) CC.
In addition to the joint Weapons Trafficking charge, Jonathan Joseph YURKOSKI, is charged with:
- Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Weapon, Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized, section 92(2) CC; and
- Possession of Ammunition while Prohibited from doing so, section 117.01(1) CC.
Both MEYER and YURKOSKI will make their first court appearances on their charges in Provincial Court on Monday, May 11, 2020 at 9:30 a.m.
A 16 year-old male and a 15 year-old male, who cannot be named in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act, are each charged with Mischief under $5,000, section 430(4) CC. Both have been released with a court of July 16, 2020 in Youth Court.
