- Details
- By Levi Rickert
UPDATE: The main suspect in a mass killing in Canada is not hiding on James Smith Cree Nation, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said on Tuesday afternoon.
The update reverses an RCMP alert earlier in the day telling residents of Cree Nation to take shelter after a reported sighting of Myles Sanderson, 32, the primary suspect in the in the mass stabbing deaths of 10 people and injuries of 18 others in over the weekend.
Canadian law-enforcement authorities said the Sanderson's location is still unknown and are urging the public to remain cautious.
The other suspect in the killings, Damien Sanderson, 31, was found earlier Monday dead. Details of his death were not announced during a law enforcement press conference.
His brother, Myles, is still at large and should be considered armed and dangerous, according to Saskatchewan RCMP Commanding Officer Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore, who spoke at a press conference late Monday afternoon.
[READ: 10 Dead, 15 Others Injured in Multiple Stabbings On or Near James Smith Cree Nation in Saskatchewan]
Blackmore said law enforcement believe Myles Sanderson, 30, sustained unspecified injuries. She did not elaborate on when or how he became injured.
“His injuries, we can’t confirm those injuries, but we do have strong reason to believe that he has sustained some injuries. We’re not exactly sure what those injuries are,” Blackmore said.
"But we do want the public to know this because there is a possibility he may seek medical attention,” she added. “Even if he is injured, it does not mean he is not still dangerous.”
Law enforcement officials said Myles Sanderson has an extensive criminal record that involves crimes both personal and property related. The personal related crimes involved violence. He has had a warrant out for his arrest since May 2022.
An investigation is underway into the horrific killings that took place on the James Smith Cree Nation and village of Weldon, Saskatchewan. Law enforcement officials say a motive is not yet known as to why the brothers went on the stabbing spree.
According to Blackmore, all of the victims were adults. No children or infants were injured. The victims were both male and female.
Blackmore said the identities of the victims have not been released to the media because not all next of kin has been notified. She said the identities of the victims will be released later on Monday or Tuesday.
Native News Online reached out to the James Smith Cree Nation on Monday with no response by press time.
More Stories Like This
Q+A: Journalist Connie Walker Reflects on Season 3 of 'Stolen' Podcast Investigating Navajo Nation MMIP CasesNative Bidaské with Sarah Eagle Heart (Oglála Lakota) on the Indigenous Fashion Collective
Twelve Cherokee Nation Cyclists, 950 Miles: The 40th Annual Remember the Removal Bike Ride
Leona Carlyle-Kakar (Ak-Chin), Instrumental in Securing the 1st Water Rights Settlement in Indian Country, Walks On
California Moves Forward with Pilot MMIP Program
Native Perspective. Native Voices. Native News.
We launched Native News Online because the mainstream media often overlooks news that is important is Native people. We believe that everyone in Indian Country deserves equal access to news and commentary pertaining to them, their relatives and their communities. That's why the story you’ve just finished was free — and we want to keep it that way, for all readers. We hope you'll consider making a donation to support our efforts so that we can continue publishing more stories that make a difference to Native people, whether they live on or off the reservation. Your donation will help us keep producing quality journalism and elevating Indigenous voices. Any contribution of any amount — big or small — gives us a better, stronger future and allows us to remain a force for change. Donate to Native News Online today and support independent Indigenous-centered journalism. Thank you.
