Authorities in Canada have charged two men with first-degree murder, as a wide-reaching search continued for the suspects in a stabbing rampage that left 10 people dead and injured at least 18 others in the central province of Saskatchewan.
Evan Bray, the chief of police in Regina, the provincial capital, said on Monday morning that the suspects – Damien Sanderson, aged 31, and Myles Sanderson, 30 – were still at large “despite ongoing, relentless efforts throughout the night”.
“They have not yet been located, and so efforts continue,” Bray said in a video shared on social media, urging anyone with information about the men’s whereabouts to come forward. “We will not stop this investigation until we have those two safely in custody.”
The attacks on Sunday in the Indigenous community of James Smith Cree Nation and the nearby village of Weldon, approximately 320km (200 miles) north of Regina, mark one of the deadliest incidents of mass violence in Canada’s history.
The Saskatchewan Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said on Monday afternoon that while the search for the suspects was ongoing, warrants had been issued for their arrest and some charges had been laid.
Suspects: Damien Sanderson and Myles Sanderson. Damien is 5 foot 7 and 155 lbs with black hair, brown eyes. Myles is 6 foot 1 and 240 lbs with brown hair and eyes. The suspects may be in black Nissan Rogue with SK license plate 119 MPI. This a rapidly-unfolding situation. pic.twitter.com/LeshXMR4sN
— RCMP Saskatchewan (@RCMPSK) September 4, 2022
Myles Sanderson faces three counts of first-degree murder while Damien Sanderson faces one count of first-degree murder, among other charges, police said. Further charges could be laid as the investigation progresses, the RCMP said.
“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,” Saskatchewan RCMP Commander Rhonda Blackmore said in a statement.
Police earlier told reporters that they believed some of the victims were targeted, while others were attacked randomly.
Authorities also extended a “dangerous persons alert” to the neighbouring provinces of Alberta and Manitoba following Sunday’s violence. Police have urged people not to approach the suspects but instead to call 911 if they are seen.
The attacks have spurred an outpouring of grief in Saskatchewan and across Canada, especially among Indigenous communities. James Smith Cree Nation is a remote Indigenous community home to approximately 1,900 people who live on the reserve.
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN), which represents 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan, expressed solidarity with residents after the acts of “unspeakable violence”.
“Our hearts break for all those impacted. This is the destruction we face when harmful illegal drugs invade our communities,” Chief Bobby Cameron said in a statement late on Sunday.
The communities that make up James Smith Cree Nation declared a state of emergency on Sunday, and said two emergency centres had been set up to help provide health support to residents.
“My deepest condolences to the many families affected by today’s tragedy in James Smith Cree Nation,” said RoseAnne Archibald, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations.
“As Canadians, we mourn with everyone affected by this tragic violence, and with the people of Saskatchewan,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also said in a statement, adding that his government was ready to assist “in any way”.
Trudeau said the flag that flies above Canada’s parliament buildings in Ottawa would be flown at half-mast on Monday and Tuesday in memory of the victims and in solidarity with all those affected by the violence.
Meanwhile, residents have started to identify some of the victims, according to local media.
People in Weldon said one of the victims was Wes Petterson, the Saskatoon StarPhoenix newspaper reported.
“I collapsed and hit the ground. I’ve known him since I was just a little girl,” said resident Ruby Works, of the moment she found out the 77-year-old widower had been killed. “He didn’t do anything. He didn’t deserve this. He was a good, kind-hearted man,” Works told the newspaper.
The Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) also reported that Lana Head, a mother of two, was among those fatally stabbed in James Smith Cree Nation.
Lana Head has been identified as one of the people who was fatally stabbed Sunday on James Smith Cree Nation in Saskatchewan.https://t.co/bhpw8DE2hz
— APTN News (@APTNNews) September 5, 2022
