Melko, Ballantyne and the young offender are charged with second-degree murder, break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence, disguise with intent, carry a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence, possession of a rearm without a license, and unauthorized possession of a firearm in a vehicle. Maclean was charged with manslaughter, unauthorized possession of a firearm in a vehicle, and break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence. RCMP found Gatzke in his home in the 100 block of 26 Street West in Battleford on Oct. 18, 2019. He was badly injured and taken to the North Battleford hospital by EMS where he was later declared deceased.
The two were arrested Sept. 10 after the RCMP Gang Task Force/Street Enforcement Team raided a residence in North Battleford on the 1300 block of 96 Street. The Battlefords RCMP Detachment and the North Battleford Provincial General Investigations Section assisted. Police seized a prohibited handgun, 200 rounds of ammunition and other weapons. They also seized about $6,000 in Canadian currency, 276 grams of cocaine, one kg of illicit marijuana, four grams of MDMA and quantities of other unidentified substances believed to be illicit drugs. Goller and Becker were released. They appeared in North Battleford Provincial Court Oct. 26 and the charges against them were read. They are now scheduled to appear in court Nov. 30.