Suspect in Saskatoon killing, Canada's 10th most wanted, arrested at Trudeau airport
Montreal-born Jonathan Ouellet-Gendron, 26, was arrested as he returned to the country Saturday afternoon, the Sûreté du Québec announced. He has warrants for murder, drug trafficking and other firearms offences, 14 charges in total.
The SQ said he will be detained for a court appearance expected to take place Sunday.
On May 19, 2022, Brandon Baxandall, 29, was killed in a shooting in an apartment on Saskatoon's Melrose Avenue. He had white zip ties around his wrists, duct tape on his mouth and a lot of cash in his pockets, according to an agreed statement of facts read out in a court case against Mohamed Abdula Ali, 37, who was convicted of manslaughter in the killing in 2024. Ali was sentenced to six years in prison.
Gendron, Ali and two other men lured Baxandall, who they knew through the drug trade, to Ali's apartment, according to the statement of facts. Earlier that day, Ali had overheard a conversation in French between Gendron and a man referred to as 'Bob' about drugs and robbing someone.
Knowing Gendron wanted to meet Baxandall for 'nefarious reasons,' Ali asked the victim to come over so he could pay him money he owed. The two men chatted and Ali paid Baxandall before Gendron and 'Bob' emerged from a bedroom and tried to tie Baxandall up.
Baxandall drew a semi-automatic handgun, shot at 'Bob,' missed, and hit another man before his gun jammed.
'A gunfight ensued,' leaving bullet holes in the walls and blood in the hallway of a building filled with people.
Ali, who was between Gendron, 'Bob' and Baxandall, was hit three times. Baxandall was shot in the neck, in the side of his body and twice in the back as he tried to run away.
Police determined that Gendron had shot both Baxandall and Ali. A 9 mm Glock found in a back alley garbage bin had Gendron's DNA on it, and the handgun had fired a bullet removed from Baxandall's body.
The Crown prosecutor said Ali initially claimed to be a victim in the shooting, but while he didn't know the full extent of Gendron's plan, he knew there would be violence when he helped lure Baxandall to his suite, and he helped Gendron buy zip ties, duct tape, gardening sheers and rope.
The arrest comes two months after a $50,000 reward for information leading to Ouellet-Gendron's capture expired. He was No. 10 on the list of Canada's 25 most wanted under the Bolo Program.
This story was originally published August 9, 2025 at 6:36 PM.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Province
9 hours ago
- The Province
One of Canada's most wanted fugitives arrested in Montreal's Trudeau airport
Jonathan Ouellet-Gendron, 36, was wanted for murder and drug trafficking charges in Saskatoon dating back to 2022 Published Aug 10, 2025 • Last updated 7 hours ago • 2 minute read FILE: Homicide suspect Jonathan Ouellet-Gendron, wanted for first degree murder by the Saskatoon Police Service following a homicide that occurred on May 19, 2022 in the 700 back of Melrose Avenue, is the first suspect featured on the Bolo Program's most wanted list for a crime committed in Saskatchewan. Photo taken in Saskatoon, Sask. on Wednesday, September 13, 2023. Photo by Michelle Berg / Saskatoon StarPhoenix A man who's been on the list of Canada's top 25 most wanted fugitives for murder and drug trafficking charges in Saskatoon dating back to 2022 has been arrested at the airport in Montreal while police say he was returning to Canada. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Quebec provincial police say officers from the Surete du Quebec Airport Unit, the Mascouche Major Crime Investigation Division and the Canada Border Services Agency arrested Jonathan Ouellet-Gendron on several Canada-wide warrants at Montreal's Trudeau International Airport on Saturday. A Saskatoon Police Service news release from May 2022 says Ouellet-Gendron, 36, was first sought by police after being identified as a suspect in a homicide that occurred in the 700 Block of Melrose Avenue. He was added to the Bolo Program — a list identifying the top 25 most wanted fugitives in Canada — in May 2023, taking the 10th spot. A Saskatoon Police Service news release from May 2022 says Ouellet-Gendron, 36, was first sought by police after being identified as a suspect in a homicide that occurred in the 700 Block of Melrose Avenue. Photo by Michelle Berg / Saskatoon StarPhoenix Quebec police say Ouellet-Gendron is expected to appear in a Montreal courthouse Sunday. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Saskatoon police said in May 2022 they responded to a report of an injured man, followed by multiple reports of shots being fired. Another injured person was reported to have been taken to hospital, police said. When they arrived at 700 Melrose Ave., they said they found 29-year-old Brandon Baxandall dead behind an apartment building. Soon afterwards, police said they were looking to identify two men of slim builds that were seen fleeing the area in dark clothing _ one carrying a bag with a strap. On May 24, 2022, police announced that Ouellet-Gendron was charged with first-degree murder in Baxandall's death. They said he was still at large and warned the public that he was believed to be in possession of a firearm and should not be approached. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Last year, Mohamed Abdula Ali was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the case. Late last year Saskatoon police posted an eight-minute video on YouTube about their response and investigation into the homicide. It included dashcam video from a police cruiser arriving at the scene, where a person in the corner of the frame can be seen performing chest compressions on a person on the ground. There's also video of officers with rifles arriving at the scene and more video of officers clearing units in the apartment building. Still photos of handguns are shown, and the video said three firearms were recovered in the hours after the investigation began. Read More Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here. Local News University News Op-Ed News
CTV News
17 hours ago
- CTV News
Speeding, fleeing the scene, and possession of firearms: Quebec police arrest 3 young people
Three young individuals were arrested Saturday evening by the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) after a police radar detected a sports vehicle travelling at 194 km/h on the Champlain Bridge toward the fast lanes of the Decarie Expressway (A-15) North in Montreal. 'The driver refused to stop when the patrol car's emergency equipment—flashing lights and sirens—were activated, so a chase ensued for about 10 kilometers on Highway 15 northbound,' said SQ spokesperson Sergeant Audrey-Anne Bilodeau. 'The chase ended when the suspect vehicle struck the left-hand wall near Royalmount. The three individuals inside fled on foot,' she said. The three individuals were arrested by police. The suspects, all in their 20s, were to be questioned by SQ investigators, especially since firearms were found in the abandoned vehicle. 'Upon inspection of the vehicle, police officers saw two firearms, handguns, inside the vehicle as well as burglary tools. The three occupants are being questioned by investigators from the Sûreté du Québec's Major Crimes Investigation Branch,' said Bilodeau. These individuals face various charges, including possession of firearms and burglary tools. Two of the three suspects suffered minor injuries that are not life-threatening. The SQ investigation is ongoing. The SQ is stepping up surveillance operations on the province's major highways, particularly since the announcement of the worst construction holiday road toll in ten years, with 38 deaths on SQ-patrolled roads between July 18 and August 2. This is 25 more deaths than during the same period last year. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Aug. 10, 2025.
Vancouver Sun
17 hours ago
- Vancouver Sun
One of Canada's most wanted fugitives arrested in Montreal's Trudeau airport
A man who's been on the list of Canada's top 25 most wanted fugitives for murder and drug trafficking charges in Saskatoon dating back to 2022 has been arrested at the airport in Montreal while police say he was returning to Canada. Quebec provincial police say officers from the Surete du Quebec Airport Unit, the Mascouche Major Crime Investigation Division and the Canada Border Services Agency arrested Jonathan Ouellet-Gendron on several Canada-wide warrants at Montreal's Trudeau International Airport on Saturday. A Saskatoon Police Service news release from May 2022 says Ouellet-Gendron, 36, was first sought by police after being identified as a suspect in a homicide that occurred in the 700 Block of Melrose Avenue. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. He was added to the Bolo Program — a list identifying the top 25 most wanted fugitives in Canada — in May 2023, taking the 10th spot. Quebec police say Ouellet-Gendron is expected to appear in a Montreal courthouse Sunday. Saskatoon police said in May 2022 they responded to a report of an injured man, followed by multiple reports of shots being fired. Another injured person was reported to have been taken to hospital, police said. When they arrived at 700 Melrose Ave., they said they found 29-year-old Brandon Baxandall dead behind an apartment building. Soon afterwards, police said they were looking to identify two men of slim builds that were seen fleeing the area in dark clothing _ one carrying a bag with a strap. On May 24, 2022, police announced that Ouellet-Gendron was charged with first-degree murder in Baxandall's death. They said he was still at large and warned the public that he was believed to be in possession of a firearm and should not be approached. Last year, Mohamed Abdula Ali was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the case. Late last year Saskatoon police posted an eight-minute video on YouTube about their response and investigation into the homicide. It included dashcam video from a police cruiser arriving at the scene, where a person in the corner of the frame can be seen performing chest compressions on a person on the ground. There's also video of officers with rifles arriving at the scene and more video of officers clearing units in the apartment building. Still photos of handguns are shown, and the video said three firearms were recovered in the hours after the investigation began. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
