The Saskatoon Homicide Victim List is available here

Saskatoon police were called to a motel in the 2000 block of Avenue B North following reports of a person with a gunshot wound at around 5:00 a.m. on May 17, 2025 .

On arrival, police found 20-year-old Matthew Brabant, who was seriously injured. He was taken to the hospital but later died from his injuries.

A 27-year-old man has been arrested and charged with First Degree Murder. Police also arrested, 26-year-old Lawrence Opikokew.

Update May 22, 2026
Lawrence Opikokew, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter, had received a 13-year prison sentence, longer than the usual sentencing range of four to 12 years for similar cases.

According to Crown prosecutor David Piche, the shooting happened when a gun was fired through a closed door, seemingly at random. He said Opikokew’s use of the gun to intimidate Brabant before the shooting made the crime especially serious and dangerous.

Defence lawyer Zachary Carter explained that discussions focused on whether the case should be treated as manslaughter or murder, which depends on the accused person’s intent. He said judges sometimes give sentences outside the normal range when circumstances justify it, as in this case.

Another man charged in the case, Tyler Pambrun, also pleaded guilty to manslaughter involving a firearm.