Saskatchewan Stabbing Suspects Have Died After Days Long Manhunt
The two suspects in Sunday’s stabbing attacks in Saskatchewan, brothers Damien and Myles Sanderson, have both died.
Damien Sanderson, 31, was found dead Monday on the James Smith Cree Nation in a grassy area near a house. Damien Sanderson’s injuries did not appear to be self-inflicted according to Royal Canadian Mounted Police Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore. Police are currently investigating whether Myles Sanderson killed him.
Sanderson reportedly broke into a woman’s home at about 2:00 p.m. local time. The woman locked her door once she saw Sanderson approaching her house and hid inside a bathroom. He broke into the home, then found the woman living in the bathroom.
According to CBC News, Sanderson asked the woman to come with him but she refused. He proceeded to take the woman’s car keys, mobile phone, water, a soft drink, and cigarettes before leaving.
Sanderson engaged in a high speed pursuit with police reaching speeds of 150 km/hr (93mph). Officers forced his vehicle into a ditch. Once they opened the car, they found that Sanderson was in possession of a knife. Initially, the RCMP reported that he was arrested at about 3:30 p.m.
During his arrest, Sanderson went into medical distress during his arrest and was transported to a hospital in Saskatoon where he was later pronounced dead. Blackmore stated during a press relief that “This evening, our province is breathing a sigh of relief.”
The Saskatoon Tribal Council expressed their relief that Myles was arrested before the announcement of his death. STC Chief Mark Arcand stated “Now people can start to feel safe again but also now is the time for healing to begin.” Chief Arcand lost both his sister and nephew in the attacks.
Ten victims were killed and another 18 injured in the mass stabbing ranging in ages 23-78. All but one deceased victim was from the indigenous community of James Smith Cree Nation. Police will not be releasing the identities of the 18 surviving victims.
The deceased victims have been identified as:
Thomas Burns, 23
Gregory Burns, 28
Carol Burns, 46
Lydia Gloria Burns, 61
Bonnie Burns, 48
Earl Burns, 66
Lana Head, 49
Christian Head, 54
Robert Sanderson, 49
Wesley Petterson, 78
From Top-Left To Right: Thomas Burns, Wesley Petterson, Lydia Gloria Burns, Robert Sanderson, Gregory Burns, Carol Burns, Christian Head, Lana Head, Bonnie Burns and Earl Burns.
