10 dead in knife attacks, some apparently random, in Saskatchewan
Ten people died and 15 others were hospitalized in a series of stabbings in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, police said on Sunday.
Two suspects were at large and authorities told residents of the province to consider sheltering in place.
The attacks, which took place Sunday morning in James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon, involved 13 separate locations, with at least 15 people being treated in hospitals, officials said at a Sunday news conference.
It was possible that there were more victims who took private vehicles to seek treatment, authorities said.
Saskatchewan RCMP Commander Rhonda Blackmore said it was one of the worst, if not the worst, massacres in the province’s history.
“We believe some of the victims were targeted by the suspects and others were randomly attacked,” she said at a Sunday afternoon news conference.
Authorities have named Damien Sanderson, 31, and Myles Sanderson, 30, as wanted suspects. The two are believed to have been traveling in a black Nissan Rogue SUV bearing the Saskatchewan plate identification 119 MPI.
RMCP believes a sighting in Saskatchewan’s capital, Regina, is legitimate. This report was released around “lunchtime”, a police official said at the press conference.
Residents were told not to approach them but rather to call the authorities immediately. Damian Sanderson is 5 feet, 7 inches and 155 pounds; Myles Sanderson is 6-foot-1 and 240 pounds. Everyone has black hair.
“If Damian and Myles listen to or receive this information, I would ask them to turn themselves in immediately to the police,” Blackmore said.
A dangerous person alert was in effect for Saskatchewan and neighboring provinces of Alberta and Manitoba.
“We can’t say with 100% certainty where they are now,” Blackmore said.
The RMCP and provincial authorities were investigating the attacks. The motive was unclear.
The Canadian Football League’s Saskatchewan Roughriders said security has been tightened for Sunday’s home game in Regina.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Suzanne Ciechalski, Courtney Brogle and Claudia Johnson contributed.
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