June 15, 2023 11:19 AM
The 24-year-old man arrested late yesterday afternoon in connection to the city’s sixth homicide has been charged with Second Degree Murder. He will appear in Provincial Court this afternoon. (Court Info #: 24451826)
Family has given permission to release the name of the victim; 35-year-old Damien Sanderson was pronounced deceased at hospital.
Three residences were searched in relation to the homicide investigation; 200 block of Avenue S South, 200 block Avenue W South, and 300 block Avenue U South. In total, police seized four firearms, one replica firearm, two bulletproof vests, and ammunition.
Several people were taken into custody from the address on Avenue W South, however no charges have been laid in connection to the homicide investigation.
Early in the homicide investigation, members of the Guns & Gangs Unit observed two people leaving the nearby residence on Avenue W South in a vehicle. They fled from police and were later arrested in a rural area near Beardy’s & Okemasis’ Cree Nation, SK. Upon further investigation, they were determined to have not been involved in the homicide, however the driver, a 39-year-old man, is charged with Evade Police, Dangerous Driving, Unlawful Confinement, Possession of Stolen Property, and Possession of Methamphetamine and Fentanyl. The 20-year-old female passenger was released without charges.
(Court Info #’s: 24451821, 24451822)
June 14, 2023 4:05 PM
The suspect in this morning’s homicide has been arrested.
The 24-year-old man was arrested without incident in the 300 block of Idylwyld Drive at approximately 3:30 p.m.
Police wish to thank the public and media for their assistance.
The investigation is ongoing.
Members of the Saskatoon Police Major Crime Section are continuing to investigate this morning’s death of a 35-year-old man.
The victim was located outside in the 200 block of Avenue S South shortly after 7:00 a.m., June 14, 2023. He was transported to hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Initial investigation has identified 24-year-old Shane Thomas as a suspect, and police believe he was known to the victim.
Thomas is described as Indigenous, 5’9” in height, 165 lbs, with a medium build, and short black hair. He has several tattoos including; ‘Noah’ on his left forearm, a triangle on his left hand, ‘19’ on his right shoulder, ‘98’ on his left shoulder, and ‘TS’ on his left chest.
A photo of Thomas is not available however investigators are releasing surveillance video that shows him fleeing westbound through a park in the 200 block of Avenue S South. This video is available on the SPS Facebook page.
At the request of family, the identity of the deceased is not being released at this time.
If Thomas is observed, members of the public are advised to not approach and instead call Police immediately.
Anyone with information on this incident or the whereabouts of Shane Thomas is asked to contact Police at 306-975-8300 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
June 14, 2023 10:43 AM
Saskatoon Police are investigating a homicide that occurred this morning.
At approximately 7:00 a.m., June 14, 2023, Patrol officers responded to the 200 block of Avenue S South after it was reported a male was located suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
Further investigation identified a nearby residence, in the 200 block of Avenue W South, and members of the SPS Guns & Gangs Unit observed two people believed to be involved in the shooting, exit the residence get into a truck. A traffic stop was attempted however the vehicle began driving erratically and at dangerous speeds as it exited the city travelling north on highway 11.
The vehicle was last seen in a rural area near Beardy’s & Okemasis’ Cree Nation, SK, and two persons were observed exiting the vehicle and fleeing on foot. A male and a female have since been taken into custody without incident.
As the individuals were believed to be armed, the Saskatchewan RCMP issued a Dangerous Persons Alert for the Beardy’s & Okemasis’ Cree Nation and surrounding area; this has since been cancelled.
With the assistance of the Tactical Support Unit, 15 other individuals have been taken into custody from inside the residence in the 200 block of Avenue W South.
Investigators with the Major Crime Section and Forensic Identification Unit are continuing to investigate.