Birdtail attacks suspect arrested in Brandon

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This article was published 21/02/2025 (288 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A 32-year-old woman who was wanted in connection with two home invasions that happened on the Birdtail Sioux First Nation last week has been arrested by Brandon police officers.

Faith Bunn was found at a home on the 1100 block of 19th Street between Brandon and Aagaard avenues on Wednesday, shortly before 3 p.m, police said. She was charged with assault causing bodily harm.

Manitoba First Nations Police Service (MFNPS) stated in a news release Thursday the force had asked Brandon police officers to help them find 32-year-old Bunn, who was suspected of being in Brandon.

After her arrest, she was released on a promise to appear in Virden court, police said.

Three men were injured in the home invasion assaults from Feb. 13, including the community’s leader, Chief Lindsay Bunn, Jr., who hospitalized for several days, according to a family member who spoke to the Sun shortly after the incident.

While MFNPS did not say what role Faith Bunn is suspected of playing in the invasions and assaults, Bunn Jr.’s family member had told the Sun that she was seen driving at Birdtail around the time of the incidents.

Shortly after the invasions — which involved two homes and assaults on three people — MFNPS arrested two men — 34-year-old Christopher Wasteste and 23-year-old Eric Chalmers, both from Birdtail Sioux First Nation.

Wasteste was charged with three counts of assault causing bodily harm and two counts of break and enter with intent to harm and is being held in custody.

Chalmers was charged with assault causing bodily harm and break and enter with intent to harm and was released with instructions to follow certain court-ordered conditions, according to police.

In its Thursday morning news release, MFNPS stated that “the investigation continues into the two separate home invasions which resulted in assaults of 3 male victims. We are requesting that anyone with information regarding these serious assaults come forward to police.”

MFNPS has not said what the motivation was for the attacks, but a family member of one of the victims told the Sun they were gang-related. Due to concerns about possible gang involvement, the children of the victims and other relatives have moved off the reserve for their safety, the family member said in a text message to the Sun.

The morning after the home invasions, May Benn, Birdtail’s band manager, wrote a message to community members on the Birdtail Sioux First Nation Facebook page. She stated that a band council resolution will be drawn up as a show of “zero tolerance to gang members,” adding, “Anyone who is affiliated with Crazy Indian Brotherhood gang will be asked to leave the community for the safety of our community.”

MFNPS is asking anyone who has information about the home invasions on the Birdtail Sioux First Nation to call the detachment at 204-569-4621.

To remain anonymous the number of the tipline is 1-833-978-0048. The email address is TIPS@mfnp.ca.

MFNPS said the tip line is accessible 24-7, 365 days a year, and is regularly monitored.

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