6 September 2022
A manhunt is underway for one of two brothers suspected in a mass stabbing that left 10 dead and 18 injured across multiple locations in Saskatchewan, Canada.The attacks on Sunday — which rattled the Canadian nation and put the province of Saskatchewan on edge — spanned 13 crime scenes, according to authorities.Less than three hours after the first attack was reported, authorities identified the suspects as brothers Damien Sanderson and Myles Sanderson.On Monday morning, Damien Sanderson, 31, was found dead on the James Smith Cree Nation in a “heavily grassed area” near a house, police said.
His injuries were not believed to be self-inflicted, said Royal Canadian Mounted Police Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore, adding that the exact cause of death would be determined by the Saskatchewan coroner’s office.His 30-year-old brother is still at large and considered “armed and dangerous,” Blackmore said. The man has a “lengthy criminal record” and had warrants out for his arrest before the stabbings, she said.Police warned that Sanderson may also be injured and might try to seek medical attention, but did not provide further details on why they believe he might be hurt.”We do have strong reason to believe that he has sustained some injuries. We’re not exactly sure what those injuries are,” Blackmore said.Although still at large, Myles Sanderson was charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder and breaking and entering into a residence.
Police believe suspect is in the city of Regina
The suspects were believed to be traveling in a black Nissan Rogue with a Saskatchewan license plate that was reported seen by a witness with two people inside on Sunday in Regina, a city more than 300 kilometers (186 miles) south of the James Smith Cree Nation, according to police.
Regina Police Chief Evan Bray said that while the lead on the car was already “stale,” it remained the most recent reliable information police had and “we are still operating under the impression that Myles is in the city of Regina.”The vehicle still hadn’t been found and Bray said it’s unknown who else was in the car if it wasn’t Damien.
- Timeline of key events
- SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 45:40 a.m. Saskatchewan police receive a call reporting a stabbing on the James Smith Cree Nation. In the following minutes, additional stabbings at different locations in the community are reported.7:12 a.m. The police issue a “dangerous persons alert,” informing residents of the James Smith Cree Nation and surrounding communities of the stabbings and asking the public to seek shelter.7:57 a.m. The alert is updated with the suspects’ names, descriptions, and pictures. The suspects are identified as Damien Sanderson and Miles Sanderson.8:20 a.m. The dangerous persons alert is extended to the entire province of Saskatchewan after the investigation confirms the suspects are traveling in a vehicle.9:45 a.m. An updated alert indicates that there are victims in multiple locations, including the village of Weldon, and that some victims may have been attacked randomly.11:25 a.m. Requests are made to Manitoba and Alberta authorities to extend the alert to those provinces.12:07 p.m. After reports of the suspects’ vehicle being spotted in Regina, a warning is sent out to residents there.
- MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 57:36 a.m. Regina police chief says the manhunt continues.11:30 a.m.Authorities find a deceased man with injuries near a house on the James Smith Cree Nation. The body is later identified by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police as that of Damien Sanderson.5:53 p.m.Regina Police Chief Evan Bray says they are operating under the impression that Myles Sanderson is in still in the city.
Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Times are local
“Is it possible that they’re no longer in this community? It is possible but we don’t have any information to disprove or point us either way,” Bray said.Blackmore said police haven’t established a motive for the attacks, and there’s still no word on the type of weapon that was used. “It takes a significant amount of resources to process 13 crime scenes,” she said.”There’s a lot of anxiety in our province right now in our communities and throughout the country,” Bray said. “And so we need to start the healing process and until we can make this arrest that isn’t going to happen.”Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the stabbings “horrific and heartbreaking.””I am shocked and devastated by the horrific attacks today in James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon, Saskatchewan, that claimed the lives of 10 people and injured many more,” Trudeau said in a statement.Few details have been released about the brothers.Myles Sanderson, who remains at large, stands about 6 foot 1 inch tall and weighs 240 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.It remains unclear if he was involved in the death of Damien Sanderson, according to police.”It is an investigative avenue that we are following up on, but we can’t say that definitively at this point,” Blackmore said.
