Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes is investigating three separate homicides that occurred between the afternoon of February 1, 2024 and the evening of February 2, 2024 across Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction in Loon Lake, Deschambault Lake and North Battleford.
“Homicide clusters like the one that we saw last week are not an abnormality in Saskatchewan.” says Supt. Joshua Graham, officer in charge of Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes “In 2023, there were five separate occasions where the Major Crimes teams deployed to two to three homicides that occurred in less than 48 hours. In the first weeks of 2024, this is something we have already seen happen. Including the three homicides that our teams investigated in the past week, an additional two homicides have occurred since January 18, 2024, totaling five homicide investigations since the new year began.”
- Saskatchewan RCMP investigate a mid January death now determined to be suspicious – charges are pending and more details will be shared when next of kin is notified
- Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes lay charges in homicide and attempted homicide at Saskatchewan Penitentiary
- Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes investigating homicide on Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation
- Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes investigating homicide in North Battleford
- Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes: male charged with second degree murder
When homicides occur in a cluster, there is extensive pressure put on the Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes teams and the Major Crime Branch as a whole. The highly trained, specialized investigators that make up the Major Crime Branch, General Investigations Section, and Historical Crimes Unit are on standby, ready to attend a scene anywhere in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction. With the support of other units such as the Forensic Identification Section, the members investigate homicides, among other serious incidents.
In addition to the homicide investigations in the last week where Major Crimes was deployed, they also provided support, assisted or deployed to four other serious incident investigations. On this, Supt. Graham adds, “Consistently high homicide rates and clusters of new homicides like this stretch our resources and take our investigators away from existing and historical homicides investigations.” Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes has not added resources since 2018. “The increased volume of investigations takes a significant toll on our investigators, whose dedication, resiliency and undeniable expertise contribute to finding answers, solving homicides and giving the families of victims closure.”
In addition to the specialized units who respond to homicide cases, Saskatchewan RCMP detachment members are often the first responders to calls for service that lead to homicide investigations and remain engaged throughout.
As Saskatchewan’s provincial police service, Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes, in collaboration with other Saskatchewan RCMP resources, have laid charges in 84% of homicides investigated since 2015.
Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes investigates all homicides which occur in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction. They investigate until those responsible are charged, or all investigational avenues have been depleted. If you have information that may help Major Crimes solve a homicide, report it to your local police of jurisdiction. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.saskcrimestoppers.com.
February 1: Meadow Lake RCMP started an investigation in January 2024 into drug trafficking activity on Waterhen Lake First Nation.
As part of this investigation, Meadow Lake RCMP attempted to stop a target vehicle in their detachment area several times. The vehicle, a pick-up truck, fled from officers each time.
As a result of investigation, Meadow Lake RCMP and Saskatchewan RCMP Police Dog Services worked together to locate the truck on Waterhen Lake First Nation on February 1. Officers used a remote piloted aircraft to track its movements. When the vehicle was observed stopping, officers moved quickly to block it in so it was unable to drive away.
The adult male driver repeatedly rammed a Police Dog Services vehicle in an unsuccessful attempt to escape. No injuries were reported.
The male was arrested. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, officers located and seized four firearms, one of which was loaded, approximately 170 grams of cocaine, approximately 28 grams of methamphetamine, trafficking paraphernalia and a sum of cash.
As a result of continued investigation, 28-year-old Antoine Hamm from Waterhen Lake First Nation is charged with:
– one count, careless transport of a firearm, Section 86(1), Criminal Code;
– one count, unsafe storage of a firearm, Section 86(2), Criminal Code;
– one count, possession of a firearm for a dangerous purpose, Section 88, Criminal Code;
– one count, possession of a firearm without a license, Section 91(1), Criminal Code;
– one count, possession of a firearm being knowingly without a license, Section 92(1), Criminal Code;
– one count, possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle, Section 94, Criminal Code;
– one count, flight from police, Section 320.13(1), criminal Code;
– one count, assault peace officer with a weapon, Section 267(a), Criminal Code;
– one count, assault peace officer with intent to resist arrest, Section 270(1)(b), Criminal Code;
– one count, possession of the proceeds of crime, Section 354(1)(a), Criminal Code; and
– one count, possession for the purpose of trafficking, Section 5(2), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
He was remanded into custody until his next scheduled appearance in Meadow Lake Provincial Court on February 12, 2024
February 6: Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes investigating 3 separate homicides in 29 hours
February 8: Meadow Lake RCMP: two males charged with sexual assault
February 9: Suspicious death investigation in Battlefords area
February 9: Loon Lake RCMP asks public to report sightings of Christian Mitsuing
February 10: Officers from Saskatchewan RCMP’s Meadow Lake Crime Reduction Team conducted a traffic stop on Waterhen Lake First Nation at about 8:30 p.m. as part of an ongoing trafficking investigation. As a result of continued investigation, officers located and seized 18 grams of crack cocaine, 17 grams of cocaine, seven grams of methamphetamine, about 16 pharmaceutical style tablets currently under investigation, a pellet gun and drug trafficking paraphernalia from the vehicle. A photo of the seized items is attached.
The driver and passenger of the vehicle were arrested. As a result of subsequent investigation, 43-year-old Terrance Lasas from Meadow Lake and 30-year-old Rachel Martell from Prince Albert are each charged with two counts, possession for the purpose of trafficking, Section 5(2), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Lasas is also charged with one count, possession of a weapon contrary to order, Section 117.01(3), Criminal Code.
They are scheduled to appear in Meadow Lake Provincial Court on March 11 (Information #90462244).
Update: the following missing persons have now been located: Revena Moosomin and Brandon Whitstone.