UPDATE: Fairhaven school closed Wednesday as police investigate homicide

Classes were cancelled at Fairhaven School on Wednesday as the Major Crime and Forensic Identification Sections investigated the city’s 11th homicide in 2024.

According to a message to parents, which was shared with 650 CKOM, police were investigating an incident that happened near the school on Forrester Road.

Officers arrived to the 400 block at 6 a.m. on Wednesday where paramedics were tending to an injured 66-year-old man. He later died in hospital from his injuries.

A release from police on Wednesday afternoon requested security footage from residents living on Hull Crescent, which faces the school, Forrester Road, Olmstead Road, Cooper Way and Cooper Crescent.

People living in the area are also asked to check their yards and bins for additional evidence.

READ MORE:

• Bike cops injured after investigating open fire along riverbank
• Saskatoon deputy police chief says city remains safe despite concerning crimes
• Saskatoon man arrested after allegedly shining laser at police plane

Fairhaven School is closed on Wednesday due to an incident in the area, but very few details were shared. (Shane Clausing/650 CKOM)

The school was closed on Wednesday to give space for police to work, and classes are set to resume on Thursday morning.

Several police officers and vehicles were in the school’s parking lot on Wednesday morning, with yellow police tape closing off part of the lot.

The Saskatoon Police Service issued a statement on the incident just after 9 a.m., but offered very few details except to say a person was injured in the 400 block of Forrester Road, the same block where the school is located, and was taken to hospital in critical condition.

“Police are asking the public to avoid the area as the investigation continues. There is not believed to be a threat to public safety,” the police service said in a statement.

While all the details are not yet known, some nearby residents said they’re feeling shocked and scared.

“How bad is our neighbourhood now?” asked Glennie Carlson, who lives right across the street from the school.

“I’ve been here for 17 years and this is the first time I’ve seen (this many) cop cars.”

Carlson said she’s seen more suspicious people roaming around in the area ever since a large homeless shelter opened in the area.

“You (see) a lot of people camping around, tenting around, and I think it’s not surprising if you see this crime here,” she explained.

“Our neighbourhood is getting worse. It’s no longer safe walking around.”

Because of the increase in crime, Carlson said she’s considering installing more cameras around her home.

–with files from 650 CKOM’s Shane Clausing