SASKATOON – Recently arrested fugitive Jonathan Ouellet-Gendron – once ranked among Canada’s most wanted – was already at large on multiple charges when police say he shot and killed Brandon Baxandall in Saskatoon in May 2022.
Court documents reveal that at the time of the homicide, Ouellet-Gendron, now 36, was wanted for failing to appear in court on charges dating back to June 2020. Those charges included five firearms-related offences involving a loaded .45 calibre restricted handgun obtained illegally, possession of four forged driver’s licenses from Quebec and Ontario, trafficking cocaine, and possession of more than $5,000 in proceeds from drug trafficking.
After being released on bail in Saskatoon Provincial Court, Ouellet-Gendron was charged in April 2021 with failing to appear in court and failing to report to a probation officer.
A year later, on May 19, 2022, Saskatoon police responded to reports of gunfire in the 100 block of Main Street East around 4:30 p.m. and found an injured man. Minutes later, officers were called to the 700 block of Melrose Avenue, where they discovered Baxandall deceased behind an apartment building. A Canada-wide warrant was issued for Ouellet-Gendron’s arrest shortly after.
In 2023, Ouellet-Gendron was added to the BOLO Program’s list of Canada’s top 25 most wanted fugitives, ranking 10th. He became the first suspect featured on the list for a crime committed in Saskatchewan.
Last month, he was arrested at Montreal-Trudeau International Airport while attempting to re-enter Canada from Mexico.
Oullet-Gendron appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court on Sept. 4 and was remanded in custody. He is scheduled to return to court on Oct. 8. According to court documents, he is represented by Montreal-based criminal lawyer Fannie Lacroix.
lisa.joy@saskcrime.ca
