A dangerous person alert has been extended to Manitoba and Alberta after a stabbing spree left 11 dead and 19 injured in Saskatchewan.
Police have been searching for brothers Damien Sanderson and Myles Sanderson of James Smith Cree Nation.
Damien Sanderson’s body was found Monday morning at a location in the James Smith Cree Nation with injuries not believed to be self-inflicted, officials said. His brother, Myles Sanderson, may be injured but is still considered armed and dangerous, and faces multiple charges in connection to the attacks.
Sask. RCMP have charged Damien Sanderson and Myles Sanderson with multiple counts of first-degree murder and attempted murder charges. Warrants were issued for their arrests, and police say more charges are anticipated as investigations continue.
Myles Sanderson is charged with three counts of first-degree murder; one count of attempted murder; and one count of break and enter of a residence.
“To the people of Saskatchewan and beyond – please be assured that we are using every human, investigational and technological resource we have available to locate and arrest the persons responsible for this tragedy and to ensure your safety,” said Rhonda Blackmore, assistant commissioner in charge of Saskatchewan RCMP in a news release Monday.
Police say the stabbings took place at over 13 locations on James Smith Cree Nation and in Weldon, SK.
Mounties say the suspects were spotted in the Arcola Avenue-area in Regina around noon on Sunday in a black, Nissan Rogue with SK License plate 119 MPI.
Police said in a news conference Sunday some of the attacks were targeted and some appeared to be random.
RCMP warned those returning home after long weekend travels to please look for evidence of suspicious activity at and around their home before entering it.
Sgt. Paul Manaigre with Manitoba RCMP told Global News local officers had been deployed to assist at some of the crime scenes, while others on the Manitoba side of the border were increasing patrols in western parts of the province.
“There’s always a concern that, you know, they could attempt to come into Manitoba and try and hide out perhaps up north where there’s less people, less chance of being found. Right now, all the information is suggesting they’re in Regina,” Manaigre said.
He couldn’t say if suspect Myles Sanderson was known to police in Manitoba, specifically, but was asking the public to stay vigilant.
“If you’re on the, perhaps, the west side of the province, make sure your doors are secured and just be cognizant of, you know, people … coming to the house and you don’t know who they are, don’t let them in,” Manaigre said.
Meanwhile, Acting Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs is expressing his condolescences to the communities affected by the tragedy.
Cornell McLean said the organization would be reaching out to James Smith Cree Nation.
“It’s very tragic that, you know, that this has happened there, and, you know, I totally understand what’s going on there in that community. It happened in Lake Manitoba a few years back where a number of people were hurt in the same kind of a similar incident.”
“There’s many people that are hurt. There’s many families (that’ve) lost loved ones, and, you know, they say time heals everything, but nobody will ever forget this event.”
McLean expressed concern for the safety of Indigenous communities in Manitoba and said he was in touch with leaders, residents along with Mounties.
— with files from Rosanna Hempel