Two men are suspected of a spate of stabbings in Saskatchewan in one of the deadliest massacres in Canadian history.
At 5:40 a.m. Sunday, the RCMP in northern Saskatchewan received multiple 911 calls reporting a stabbing incident on the James Smith Cree Nation, which was A First Nation of three communities located approximately 300 kilometers north of the provincial capital, Regina.
After an initial danger personnel alert was issued to people in the small northern community shortly after 7 a.m., follow-up alerts identified two suspects wanted in the attack, which killed at least 10 people and injured 18 others.
Miles Sanderson, 30, and Damian Sanderson, 31, have been identified by police as two suspects, who they believe have 13 differences between James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon A series of knife attacks took place at the location, Weldon, a small village about 25 kilometers from New York City. The first attack was reported to the southeast.
Here’s what we currently know about the suspects:
Damien Sanderson, left, and Myles are shown in this image combination during a press conference at RCMP “F” Division headquarters in Regina, Saskatchewan, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022 Sanderson
(Royal Canadian Mounted Police)
Who are Miles and Damian Sanderson?
Photos shared by authorities of the two suspects exploded on social media as the manhunt continued into Monday morning.
Damian Sanderson is described as a 31-year-old male, 5-foot-7, 155 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Myles Sanderson is a 30-year-old male, 6-foot-1 and 240 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
Miles Sanderson, 30, was reportedly listed as “unlawfully at large” by Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers in May, according to Reuters. No further details on why he was wanted were included in the release.
“If they’re listening, I’d like to ask them to turn themselves in to the police,” RCMP Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore said at a news conference Sunday afternoon in Regina, the provincial capital.
By Monday afternoon, RCMP confirmed that his brother Damien had been found dead with wounds that did not appear to be self-inflicted, Ms. Blackmore said.
The body of the 31-year-old man was found at the James Smith Cree Nation about 11.30am on Monday. As part of the investigation, officers who had been inspecting the home found the suspect’s body in what was described as a dense grassy area.
As of Tuesday morning, younger brother Miles was still at large.
Authorities did not name a motive, but Sovereign Indigenous Peoples Federation president Bobby Cameron suggested in a press release that he believed drugs played a role, Globe and Mail report.
“This is the devastation we face when harmful illicit drugs invade our communities, and we ask all authorities to take the direction of chiefs and councils and their members to create safer, healthier communities for our people,” Mr Cameron said. .
Where is Miles Sanderson?
On Monday, authorities said they had “no indication that they went to another province,” but officials had extended a danger-person alert to neighboring Alberta and Manitoba on Sunday morning.
That working assumption was reiterated by Regina Chief Police Officer Evan Bray late Monday night, when Regina Chief Police Officer Evan Bray said officers would continue to hunt down suspects who remain wanted. Jana operates under the assumption that somewhere “until we get information that this is not the case”.
“Report anything unusual,” Chief Bray asked in his address.
Authorities have no evidence to support Miles changing the vehicle, and his last known getaway car is described as a black Nissan Rogue SUV with a Saskatchewan license plate of 119 MPI.
In a Monday morning update, Regina Police Chief Evan Bray said his department and the RCMP used maximum resources throughout the night to keep the couple’s manhunt until the early hours of the morning, but they The search proved futile.
“Despite tireless efforts throughout the night by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Regina Police Service to find these two individuals, they have not been found. As such, efforts continue,” the chief said, noting that “new investigators” will be due on Monday Arrived in the morning to take over the investigation for the rest of the day.
“We will not stop our investigation until we have these two individuals in safe custody.”
Authorities are appealing to anyone with information to come forward with local police forces, but stress that people should exercise caution if they suspect they have seen or encountered Miles, as he is expected to be armed and dangerous.
“We do want the public to know that because of the potential for him to seek medical attention,” Ms Blackmore said. “Even if he’s injured, that doesn’t mean he’s still not in danger,” she added.
Police said they were also investigating whether Miles may have played a role in Damian’s death, but could not confirm further details about the theory.
“This is an avenue of investigation that we are following up.”
Two years of criminal conviction history
As recently as May of this year, Myles Sanderson, 30, was listed by Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers as “unlawfully at large”, but that’s just the young man’s relationship with law enforcement and the judiciary. One of a long list of conflicts that occurred. system in recent years.
Obtained parole record global news It has been revealed how the younger brother, who is still at large, has amassed nearly two decades of criminal activity, including drug and alcohol abuse, as well as links to gang members and drug dealers.
His most recent convictions include assault, assault with a weapon, assault on a police officer, mischief and robbery.
In February, the parole board determined the 30-year-old “does not pose an undue risk” and that his release would “contribute to the protection of society” by facilitating his reintegration into society. global news report.
On Monday, police announced that the Sandersons had been issued a warrant for their involvement in Sunday’s fatal stabbing.
Miles’ upbringing and struggles with drugs and alcohol were considered by the parole board in its February decision, which included a rule that he must remain sober and seek treatment as part of his release.
According to his parole records, the younger brother’s childhood went back and forth between family members, reportedly leaving different guardians at different times during his youth due to “abusive circumstances”.
Psychological notes detail how this turbulent upbringing “created a feeling of being abandoned and not wanted”, which is said to have played a role in his criminal conduct.
“Considering your Aboriginal background, the board notes that there are factors in your background that may lead to your participation in the criminal justice system,” the parole board’s decision read.
These effects include intergenerational trauma caused by Canada’s boarding school system, which a committee in 2015 considered a “cultural genocide”, substance abuse, childhood domestic violence, family division, lack of education and loss of culture and spirit, global news report.
