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Photo: The Canadian Press
Investigators with protective equipment enter a house in a crime scene in Weldon, Sask., Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022. Saskatchewan RCMP has confirmed that there are 10 dead while 15 are injured following the stabbings that occurred at James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon in Saskatchewan. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu
UPDATE: 11 a.m.
Saskatchewan RCMP say arrest warrants have been issued for two suspects in a deadly stabbing rampage who remain at large.
Damien and Myles Sanderson are wanted on charges including first-degree murder and attempted murder.
More coming.
UPDATE: 10:40 a.m.
A stabbing rampage on the James Smith Cree Nation and in the nearby village of Weldon, northeast of Saskatoon, left 10 people dead and 15 others injured, provincial RCMP said Sunday.
Here is some of the reaction:
“They were our relatives, friends. Mostly we’re all related here, so it’s pretty hard. It’s pretty horrific.” — Chakastaypasin Chief Calvin Sanderson.
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“My mind is somewhere else. It’s a shock. No one in this town is ever going to sleep again. They’re going to be terrified to open their door, answer their door.” — Weldon, Sask., resident Ruby Works.
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“There are no words to adequately describe the pain and loss caused by this senseless violence. All of Saskatchewan grieves with the victims and their families.” — Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe.
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“I am shocked and devastated by the horrific attacks today in James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon, Saskatchewan, that claimed the lives of 10 people and injured many more.
“As Canadians, we mourn with everyone affected by this tragic violence, and with the people of Saskatchewan. We also wish a full and quick recovery to those injured.” — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
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“I am filled with sadness for the survivors, families and friends who have lost loved ones from these communities. These are devastating losses that words cannot even come close to describing.
“We are thinking of you today and for the weeks to come. Canadians today mourn with you and wish you courage during these difficult times.” — Gov. Gen. Mary Simon
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“On behalf of the Chiefs, Senate, and Women’s Commission, FSIN extends its sympathies to the families, relatives, and communities of the victims whose lives were taken during today’s senseless acts of violence in the tri-communities of James Smith Cree Nation.
“The FSIN Executive sends our deepest condolences and offers a message of solidarity with the people of James Smith Cree Nation after the unspeakable violence that claimed the lives of innocent people. Our hearts break for all those impacted.” — Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations.
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“The tragedy that has unfolded in James Smith Cree Nation and surrounding areas is absolutely devastating. My deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones, as well as to the injured and their families.
“I’ve reached out to the leadership (of the) James Smith Cree Nation to offer Canada’s full support and any assistance that will be needed in the coming days.” — Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Marc Miller.
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“I’ve been in contact w/ Chief Wally Burns to ensure that his community’s needs are met under their declared #StateOfEmergency
“I’ve also reached out to Minister @marcomendicino and Chief Calvin Sanderson and Chief Robert Head. Please keep all leadership and families in your prayers.” — Assembly of First Nations National Chief RoseAnne Archibald.
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“My heart is with the people of James Smith Cree Nation, Weldon, Regina & all Saskatchewanians who have been impacted by the horrific stabbings today. I am keeping you all in my thoughts tonight. Please be alert and continue to follow the advice of @RCMPSK.” — Justice Minister David Lametti.
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“We are grateful for all the first responders on the ground working hard to keep us safe and the health care workers treating those hurt.
“We are all devastated to hear of the acts of senseless violence committed in our province and our thoughts are with all those who are grieving. Our team, and our entire province, grieves with you.” — Saskatchewan Roughriders Canadian Football League team.
UPDATE 7:30 a.m.
Investigators continued their “relentless” manhunt Monday for two suspects accused in a series of stabbings that left 10 people dead and at least 15 others injured in rural Saskatchewan a day earlier.
The men were still on the lam 24 hours after officials first issued an emergency alert warning residents of the rampage on the James Smith Cree Nation and the nearby village of Weldon, Regina Police Chief Evan Bray said in a video posted to Twitter early Monday morning.
“This despite ongoing, relentless efforts through the night by both the RCMP and the Regina Police Service to locate these two individuals,” he said.
“…We’ve got a fresh set of investigators and shifts coming in today that will take over this investigation. And we will not stop this investigation until we have those two safely in custody.”
Meanwhile, RCMP said they planned to provide another update later Monday morning.
A dangerous persons alert remains in effect from Alberta to Manitoba for Damien Sanderson, 31, and Myles Sanderson, 30.
Damien Sanderson is described as five feet, seven inches tall and 155 pounds, and Myles Sanderson as six-foot-one and 200 pounds.
Both have black hair and brown eyes and may be driving a black Nissan Rogue with licence plate 119 MPI, although police have said it is possible they have switched vehicles.
Investigators have said the attacks took place at 13 different locations on the James Smith Cree Nation and nearby Weldon, northeast of Saskatoon, with police getting the first reports on the First Nation before 6 a.m. Sunday.
Emergency responders took 15 survivors to hospital, but they say it’s possible more people were injured and sought treatment on their own.
Investigators have said some of the victims were targeted while others were chosen at random, though they did not say how they know.
There’s been no official word on the identities of the victims, but Weldon residents have identified one of the deceased as 77-year-old Wes Petterson.
ORIGINAL 6:25 a.m.
Flags at provincial government buildings in Saskatchewan are at half-mast as the manhunt continues for two suspects in a stabbing rampage on a First Nation and in a nearby village that left 10 people dead and 15 others injured.
The attacks took place at 13 different locations on the James Smith Cree Nation and nearby Weldon, northeast of Saskatoon, with police getting the first reports on the First Nation before 6 a.m. Sunday.
A dangerous persons alert remains in effect from Alberta to Manitoba for Damien Sanderson, 31, and Myles Sanderson, 30.
Damien Sanderson is described as five-feet-seven inches tall and 155 pounds, and Myles Sanderson as six-foot-one and 200 pounds. Both have black hair and brown eyes and may be driving a black Nissan Rogue with licence plate 119 MPI, although police have said it is possible they have switched vehicles.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe tweeted his condolences Sunday to the family and friends of the victims, with his office later saying flags at provincial government buildings will be lowered to half-mast one day for each person killed.
In a statement, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was “shocked and devastated by the horrific attacks,” adding all Canadians offer their support as they mourn with the people of Saskatchewan and “everyone affected by this tragic violence.”
Although RCMP did not release details about a motive, Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Chief Bobby Cameron said in a news release that drugs were a possibility.
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