Gabriel Wapass, Saskatoon's 6th homicide victim remembered as loving, kind father

Inside of her home, Tanya Wapass has a framed photo of her husband Gabriel in her living room.

Surrounded by two candles, the 47-year-old man wears a giant grin in the photo. It's one he's said to have worn often before his life was cut short in Saskatoon on June 30, 2019.

His death has been ruled a homicide and a 21-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder. Speaking outside of her home while grasping Gabriel's photo, she said her husband is being remembered as hard-working and caring person.

"He was a good father, husband, a good provider," said Wapass. "He was always there, willing to help out when needed. And if anybody needed anything, he was always there to give that lending and helping hand."

Wapass was found by police in the 1700 block of 20th Street West on the morning of June 30. A police news release indicated officers were called to the area for reports of an injured male. Emergency responders tried to save his life, but were unsuccessful.

Courtroom predicted to be packed

Gabriel, who has four children with Tanya Wapass, was said to love spending time with his kids, his friends and anyone who needed a helping hand.

"Anybody and everybody was drawn to him," she said. "Just in his smile, he had such a wonderful loving smile and a giving, caring heart. If he had something, he would give it to you. If you needed it, he gave it to you, no questions asked."

A 21-year-old man has since been charged with second-degree murder in connection to the death. He's set to appear in court on Wednesday. Wapass said she expects the courthouse to be "packed" with Gabriel's family members.

"His family meant the world to him," she said.

Community on edge

Shane Partridge is the Pleasant Hill Community Association's community safety co-ordinator.

On Saturday night, he and another man were doing overnight security at Pleasant Hill Park. There was a gospel event there running over two days, and they'd left their tents set up over night.

At one point, they went for a drive and, a few blocks away near St. Paul's Hospital, they came across the murder scene.

"The area was just being taped off, there was about a dozen police cars in the area, we had stumbled on the scene of a deceased person," he said.

He said people in the community are getting tired.

"You know, our community, every weekend, we brace ourselves for what's happening next, what's going to happen this weekend. Who are we going to lose?" he said.

"I'm exhaustedalready. I know everyone in the community is concerned. We're concerned what we're going to do with our youth. We're one of the only areas in town that doesn't have anything open for our youth in the evening and stuff."

Partridge says addictions and mental health issues need to be addressed.

Tanya Wapasssaid the community has rallied around her family during their time of need, noting the support has been helpful.

"I just want to say thank you very much from the bottom of my heart," she said. "It means a lot to me and to our family. So, on behalf of all of us, thank you very much. It just shows how much my husband was to so many people. Not only to his family, but he touched so many lives."

An autopsy to determine Gabriel's cause of death is also set to take place Wednesday.