Maskwacis resident Eldon James Saddleback Junior, 36, charged with attempted murder in connection with a shooting in downtown Ponoka over two years ago, has been ordered to stand trial.
The order came on Jan. 9, 2025 at the Ponoka Court of Justice following a preliminary hearing.
Saddleback has an arraignment scheduled for Feb. 11, 2025 at the Wetaskiwin Court of King's Bench.
A date for the trial has not been set yet.
Early on Sept. 21, 2022, Ponoka RCMP received reports of a shooting near the Leland Hotel.
Video footage from a business on Chipman Avenue showed a black car swerve into a tree and then hit the curb on the opposite side of the street before an individual took off on foot.
According to the RCMP, a victim with apparent multiple gun shot wounds was taken to hospital by STARS in stable condition.
Saddleback and co-accused Anthony Kelsey Lee Omeasoo of Wetaskiwin were apprehended in Banff National Park five days later.
Both men were charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, two counts of assault with a weapon, discharge of a firearm with intent, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and failing to comply with a release order.
Saddleback was also charged with possession of a weapon contrary to an order.
Omeasoo was sentenced to 990 days in jail on May 14, 2024. He was convicted of intentionally discharging a firearm and failing to comply with a release order. The other charges were withdrawn.
According to records available to the public, Saddleback was previously convicted of multiple offences related to a home invasion on Montana Cree Nation in 2010.