Saskatoon has recently experienced its thirteenth homicide of the year, marking yet another troubling chapter for the city as it grapples with rising violence. The latest incident took place at the Copper Mug, located on the 1300 block of 8th Street East, where police were called to investigate what they termed as "sudden death" on November 15. Tragically, the victim was identified as a 20-year-old woman who was found dead at the scene. Police confirmed they are still gathering evidence and have stated they will release more information as the investigation progresses.
The hallowed grounds of this area have turned from venues of leisure to scenes of crime, underscoring growing public concern about safety and crime rates within the city. This latest homicide follows eight months filled with multiple violent incidents, risking the sense of security within the community and alarming residents who have witnessed the violence firsthand.
Prior to this incident, Saskatoon had not experienced a homicide since August 16, creating at least a temporary lull in the community’s rising fear. Back then, 30-year-old Jordan Lee Morin was fatally wounded, and two individuals were charged following his death. Up until this point, the year had seen 11 homicides before June 30, raising concerns among law enforcement and locals alike.
The police department referred to statistics from earlier this year, noting the surging homicide rate compared to previous years. For example, the year began with its first recorded murder on February 3 when a 25-year-old man from Alberta was found dead at home. Following closely, several other violent events unfolded, including shootings and stabbings, spreading fear across communities.
February 10 saw the second homicide occur: a 48-year-old man was shot dead within the confines of Caswell Hill, leading to one individual being apprehended. By February 17, the violence escalated with another 48-year-old man being murdered, bringing the city’s murder count to three. Two individuals faced charges linked to this crime.
Continued violence marked the month of February, with yet another homicide happening on February 19, where a man was charged for the stabbing death of another 35-year-old Saskatoon resident. Later the same month, the city faced the tragic loss of two young boys aged just 12, who were implicated in the deaths of another young peer.
March brought its misfortune when tragedy struck yet again. A 1-year-old boy’s death at the end of the month led to charges against one woman, intensifying the atmosphere of grief enveloping the city. Then, on April 15, both Melissa Duquette, 24, and another unidentified 25-year-old man were killed within the same day, marking one of the most violent days of the year.
The alarming trends didn’t stop there. The city recorded its tenth homicide on June 3—when Glen Lennie, 29, was fatally stabbed—and the eleven murders continued with the killing of 66-year-old Harvey Zoerb on June 12. Following those incidents, the 12th homicide came with Morin's death.
Despite the increasing murder rate, some community members hope for swift justice and healing. The Saskatoon Police Service is actively seeking information related to the latest homicide to help them identify the circumstances surrounding the young woman’s death. Officials urge anyone with information related to the incident to step forward and assist the investigation. For those willing to help, both the Saskatoon Police Service and Crime Stoppers welcome tips, promising anonymity.
The need for unity and vigilance has never been more apparent as the community reflects on the recent tragedies. Grassroots movements to amplify community policing and prevention approaches are on the rise. Meanwhile, the police force acknowledges the situation demands greater responsiveness and anticipates encouraging outreach efforts to the public for boosting safety. It is undeniably going to be challenging to overcome this alarming trend, but through community strength and vigilance, hope remains alive.