Increase in Homicide Clusters Investigated by Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes

In the first days of February, the Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes unit was called to investigate three separate homicides in a span of just 29 hours. The incidents took place in the communities of Loon Lake, Deschambault Lake, and North Battleford, according to a press release by the RCMP.

Superintendent Joshua Graham, the officer in charge of Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes, stated that these homicide clusters are not uncommon in the province. He pointed out that in 2023, there were five instances where Major Crimes teams were deployed to multiple homicides within 48 hours. This trend has continued into 2024, with five homicide investigations already conducted since the beginning of the year.

When homicides occur in clusters, it puts significant pressure on the Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes teams and the Major Crime Branch as a whole. The resources and manpower required to investigate and solve these cases increase exponentially.

Details of the Incidents

The first incident occurred on February 1, when Loon Lake RCMP received a report of an injured person at a residence on the Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation. The 32-year-old man from the Island Lake First Nation was pronounced dead, and his death was ruled as a homicide. The investigation is ongoing, and no arrests have been made at this time.

The second homicide took place on February 2 in North Battleford. Jordan Wright, a 32-year-old resident of North Battleford, was found dead at a local residence. The police have classified his death as a homicide and are actively investigating the case. No arrests have been made so far.

The third incident also occurred on February 2, in Deschambault Lake. Deschambault RCMP received a report of a serious assault at a local residence, and the injured man was pronounced dead after being transported to a local clinic. Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes are leading the investigation, and a 22-year-old local man has been charged with second-degree murder.

Support and Charges

Aside from these three homicides, Saskatchewan Major Crimes has provided support, assistance, or deployed to four other serious incident investigations in the past week. Since 2015, the Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes unit, along with other resources, has successfully laid charges in 84% of homicide cases.

Appeal for Information

The RCMP is urging anyone who may have information related to any of these homicides to report it to their local police. Public cooperation and tips play a crucial role in solving these cases and bringing justice to the victims and their families.

As the investigation continues, the Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes unit is working diligently to bring closure to these cases and ensure the safety of the communities affected.

Source: Global News