Here is some information we can provide with regards to homicides in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction as of November 22, 2022:
Total number of homicide victims:
- 2015: 26 – 17 male, 9 female
- 2016: 35 – 27 male, 8 female
- 2017: 23 – 15 male, 8 female
- 2018: 22 – 14 male, 8 female
- 2019: 20 - 14 male, 6 female
- 2020: 31 – 26 male, 5 female
- 2021: 34 – 26 male, 8 female
- 2022 (Jan-Dec 9): 39 – 30 male, 9 female
Total number of homicide files:
- 2015: 23
- 2016: 32
- 2017: 23
- 2018: 22
- 2019: 20
- 2020: 30
- 2021: 30
- 2022 (Jan-Dec 9): 29
"The statistics tell us that while the number of homicides that occurred in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction dropped in 2017 to 2019, they increased again in 2020-2021. In 2022, we've continued to see an increase in the number of homicides. The 11 homicides as the result of the September mass casualty have certainly added to those increased numbers. With under a month remaining in 2022, we have already surpassed the number of homicide victims year-over-year in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction," Superintendent Josh Graham, Officer in Charge of Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes says, "In terms of trends we are seeing, I can say we've seen an increase in gang-related or-involved homicides - homicides that are often complex in nature, have multiple suspects and are difficult to investigate. Our Major Crimes investigators do an outstanding job in balancing our response to newly reported and continuing homicide investigations and preparing them for prosecution in court; however, the increasing number of homicides has not been met with an additional number of investigative resources. These past three years have been challenging for our Major Crimes teams, but it is due to their professionalism, dedication and extensive experience that they have continued to investigate homicides until charges are laid or all investigative avenues have been exhausted."
Several times within the past two years an increased number of separate homicides occurred within a short period in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction. Here are several examples:
- There were 5 victims in 4 separate homicide investigations in the seven-day time period of August 30-September 5, 2021.
- There were 5 victims in 4 separate homicide investigations in the six-day time period of November 25-30, 2021.
- In December 2021 there were 6 victims in 5 separate homicide investigations.
- 11 people died as a result of the tragedy on James Smith Cree Nation and in Weldon in September 2022.
- There were 6 separate homicides in November 2022:
- Melville, 2022-11-02
- Waterhen Lake First Nation (Meadow Lake) 2022-11-12
- Weyakwin (Waskesiu) 2022-11-15
- Hatchet Lake FN (Wollaston Lake) 2022-11-16
- Keeseekoose FN (Kamsack) 2022-11-19
- One Arrow FN (Wakaw) 2022-11-29