By Victor Kaisar

Ashcroft Band Incident

‘We have had enough’: Ashcroft Indian Band speaks out after shots fired, attempted break-in at chief’s house

Nov 14, 2025 | 1:41 PM

ASHCROFT, B.C. — The Ashcroft Indian Band says a man was arrested and then released following an attempted break-in at Chief Greg Blain’s house on Remembrance Day (Nov. 11).

In a statement, the Ashcroft band council said the front door and several windows on Blain’s house were damaged Tuesday. They also identified Darrell Porter as the man who was taken into custody by police, following “multiple reports and eyewitness accounts” of shots fired around the reserve, which put community members at risk.

The band said Porter has been prohibited from entering the reserve for any reason, and that people should contact the RCMP if he’s spotted.

It also noted that there is an ongoing police investigation in connection with Tuesday’s incident and that charges are being submitted to Crown counsel. Chief and council is also “strongly urging” people to report any illegal activity on reserve to the RCMP.

“We believe that open and accurate communication is essential to ensuring our community’s safety and peace of mind,” the statement from the Ashcroft Indian Band said of its rationale to release the details about Tuesday’s incident.

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CFJC has reached out to the Ashcroft RCMP for more information about the incident and is awaiting a response.

According to the Ashcroft Band, there has been little accountability against Porter through the justice system despite previous convictions, including assault on an elder. They say it has “understandably” led to frustration for both the victims and for the community at large.

“Despite several previous attempts by council to banish Mr. Porter, these efforts have proven fruitless as he has continued to enter the reserve without hesitation or regard for community safety,” the statement added.

“This most recent incident has only deepened the community’s frustration with his ongoing disregard for the law and the conditions of his sentencing.”

The Ashcroft Indian Band said it will no longer tolerate behaviour that includes acts of intimidation, threats of violence, and the reckless discharge of firearms, citing the safety and security of band members.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe in their homes and throughout our community,” the band statement said. “Our members, families, and staff should be able to live, work, and celebrate without fear of their wellbeing.”