REGINA, Saskatchewan (NewsNation) — One suspect who was wanted in a series of stabbings that left 10 people dead and 15 injured in Canada on Sunday has been found dead, police said.
Regina Police Chief Evan Bray said Damien Sanderson, 31, has been found dead and that they believe his brother Myles Sanderson, 30, is in Regina, Saskatchewan. Damien Sanderson’s injuries were not self-inflicted, and police said in a press conference Monday afternoon they aren’t ruling out the possibility that he was targeted by his brother.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police commanding officer Rhonda Blackmore said police have reason to believe Myles Sanderson was injured and might be seeking medical relief.
Authorities discovered Damien Sanderson’s body on the second day of a manhunt for the pair across the expansive province of Saskatchewan.
“The two suspects are still at large, despite efforts through the night by Regina police and RCMPSK,” Chief of Police for the Regina Police Service Evan Bray said in a tweet Monday morning.
In a video statement attached to the tweet, Bray urged anyone who might have any information to come forward.
The attacks targeted an Indigenous community and nearby town in one of the deadliest mass killings in the country’s history. Police have not yet determined a motive, though they said some of the attacks appeared to be targeted while others were random.
“No one in this town is ever going to sleep again. They’re going to be terrified to open their door,” said Weldon resident Ruby Works, who was close to one of the victims.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Saskatchewan issued an initial Dangerous Persons Alert to residents of the James Smith Cree Nation and surrounding communities.
RCMP also tweeted a series of updates on the case to inform the public of the ongoing case, including detailed descriptions of the suspects.
The RCMP described Damien Sanderson as “5 foot 7 and 155 lbs with black hair, brown eyes” and Myles Sanderson as “6 foot 1 and 240 lbs with brown hair and eyes.” The department also said the suspects may be in a black Nissan Rogue with SK license plate 119 MPI.
Police said a vehicle reportedly carrying the two suspects had been spotted in Regina, about 208 miles south of the communities where the stabbings occurred.
“If in the Regina area, take precautions & consider sheltering in place. Do not leave a secure location. DO NOT APPROACH suspicious persons. Do not pick up hitchhikers. Report suspicious persons, emergencies or info to 9-1-1. Do not disclose police locations,” the RCMP Saskatchewan said in a Twitter post.
Blackmore said police are continuing their search for Myles Sanderson using aerial surveillance aircraft. Border police have been alerted if he attempts to flee to the United States.
The James Smith Cree Nation declared a state of emergency Sunday morning, warning residents to be alert.
“As this is an unfolding situation, I encourage everyone in the area to listen to the advice of law enforcement to take shelter and follow the proper precautions,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement.
The prime minister said he was “shocked and devastated by the horrific attacks.”
“As Canadians, we mourn with everyone affected by this tragic violence, and with the people of Saskatchewan,” Trudeau said.
Authorities urged residents not to approach Myles Sanderson if spotted, telling civilians to leave the area immediately and contact emergency services.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
An investigator in protective equipment works at a crime scene in Weldon, Saskatchewan, on 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. (Heywood Yu/The Canadian Press via AP) 
Investigators examine the ground at the scene of a stabbing in Weldon, Saskatchewan on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022. A series of stabbings at an Indigenous community and at another in the village of Weldon left multiple people dead and others wounded, Canadian police said Sunday as they searched for two suspects. (Heywood Yu/The Canadian Press via AP) 
A scene where a stabbing occurred is photographed in Weldon, Saskatchewan on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022. A series of stabbings at an Indigenous community and at another in the village of Weldon left multiple people dead and others wounded, Canadian police said Sunday as they searched for two suspects. (Heywood Yu/The Canadian Press via AP) 
Investigators enter a house at the scene of a stabbing in Weldon, Saskatchewan, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022. A series of stabbings at an Indigenous community and at another in the village of Weldon left multiple people dead and others wounded, Canadian police said Sunday as they searched for two suspects. (Heywood Yu/The Canadian Press via AP) 
Investigators gather in front of the scene of a stabbing in Weldon, Saskatchewan, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022. A series of stabbings at an Indigenous community and at another in the village of Weldon left multiple people dead and others wounded, Canadian police said Sunday as they searched for two suspects. (Heywood Yu/The Canadian Press via AP) 
A coroner enters a house at the scene of a stabbing in Weldon, Saskatchewan Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022. A series of stabbings at an Indigenous community and at another in the village of Weldon left multiple people dead and others wounded, Canadian police said Sunday as they searched for two suspects. (Heywood Yu/The Canadian Press via AP) 
Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore speaks while Regina Police Chief Evan Bray, left, looks on during a press conference at RCMP “F” Division Headquarters in Regina, Saskatchewan, on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022. Damien Sanderson and Myles Sanderson allegedly stabbed and killed 10 people between James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon, Saskatchewan, on Sunday morning, and the pair are presently at large. (Michael Bell/The Canadian Press via AP) 
Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore speaks next to images of Damien Sanderson and Myles Sanderson during a press conference at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police “F” Division headquarters in Regina, Saskatchewan, on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022. Police said the pair allegedly stabbed and killed multiple people in various locations between the James Smith Cree Nation and in the village of Weldon, northeast of Saskatoon, on Sunday morning, and are presently at large. (Michael Bell/The Canadian Press via AP) 
Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore speaks during a press conference at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police “F” Division headquarters in Regina, Saskatchewan, on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022. Authorities identified two suspects in a series of stabbings in two communities in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan that left multiple people dead and others wounded. (Michael Bell/The Canadian Press via AP) 
Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore, right, looks on while Regina Police Chief Evan Bray, left, speaks during a press conference at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police “F” Division headquarters in Regina, Saskatchewan, on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022. Authorities identified two suspects in a series of stabbings in two communities in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan that left multiple people dead and others wounded. (Michael Bell/The Canadian Press via AP) 
Regina Police Chief Evan Bray speaks during a press conference at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police “F” Division headquarters in Regina, Saskatchewan, on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022. Authorities identified two suspects in a series of stabbings in two communities in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan that left multiple people dead and others wounded. (Michael Bell/The Canadian Press via AP) 
This combination of images shown during a press conference at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police “F” Division headquarters in Regina, Saskatchewan, on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, shows Damien Sanderson, left, and Myles Sanderson. Authorities identified the pair, who are presently at large, as suspects in a series of stabbings in two communities in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan that left multiple people dead and others wounded. (Royal Canadian Mounted Police via AP) 
Canadian police say multiple people are dead in 13 locations at two communities in Saskatchewan. 
A police officer walks through the scene of a stabbing in Weldon, Saskatchewan, on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022. A series of stabbings at an Indigenous community and at another in the village of Weldon left multiple people dead and others wounded, Canadian police said Sunday as they searched for two suspects. (Heywood Yu/The Canadian Press via AP)
