Ten people have been killed and 15 more injured in a mass stabbing at an Indigenous community and several other nearby towns in Saskatchewan, Canada. Police have launched a manhunt for suspected knifemen Damien Sanderson, 31, and Myles Sanderson, 30, after "multiple" victims were attacked in James Smith Cree Nation and the village of Weldon yesterday morning (September 4).
Police have urged residents who live in the surrounding area of Regina, the provincial capital, to remain indoors and stay vigilant, the Mirror reports. Rhonda Blackmore, the assistant commissioner of the RCMP Saskatchewan, said that some of the victims appear to have been targeted while others were attacked at random.
Speaking at a press conference broadcast by CTV news, she stated: "At 5.40 this morning Saskatchewan divisional communications centre received a call reporting a stabbing on the James Smith Cree Nation. In the following minutes, we received multiple calls reporting multiple stabbings within the community.
“The suspects' names were Damien Sanderson and Myles Sanderson. We're dedicating a maximum number of resources to this investigation.
“Our thoughts are with the many victims, deceased and injured, their families, friends and communities. It is horrific what has happened in our communities today.”
The attacks took place in 13 locations across James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon in the state of Saskatchewan. Police have urged locals not to approach the suspects and to remain in a secure location if possible.
Three victims have been identified so far, according to friends and family members who spoke with local media. Wes Petterson, a 77-year-old widower who frequently helped out his neighbours, was reportedly killed and a mother-of-two Lana Head and her partner were also reportedly killed.
Ms Head’s former partner Michael Brett Burns told APTN News that Head and her current male partner died of their wounds. The First Nations Horsemen’s Association said many of its members are from the James Smith Cree Nation and were impacted by the tragedy.
“On behalf of our entire racing community, our thoughts, prayers and condolences are with the James Smith Cree Nation and surrounding area,” read a statement from the group.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Twitter: "The attacks in Saskatchewan today are horrific and heartbreaking. I’m thinking of those who have lost a loved one and of those who were injured.
"We are closely monitoring the situation, and urge everyone to follow updates from local authorities. Thank you to all the brave first responders for their efforts on the ground."
In May, Mr Sanderson was listed as “unlawfully at large” by Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers but there were no further details about why he was wanted, Reuters reported. Regina Police said a Dangerous Person Alert was issued on Sunday morning and was extended province-wide.
The pair were last sighted driving a black Nissan Rogue with licence plate 119 MPI in Saskatchewan’s capital of Regina, about 200 miles south of the attacks. A police statement read: "The Regina Police Service is working with the RCMP to locate and apprehend the suspects.
"RPS has brought in additional investigative resources, working cooperatively, diligently and swiftly with the RCMP. The Regina Police Service is actively investigating on several fronts to locate and arrest the suspects.
"In addition, RPS has deployed additional resources for public safety throughout the city, including the football game at Mosaic Stadium."
The spate of stabbings is one of the deadliest mass killings in Canadian history.
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