A document from the Parole Board of Canada says a fugitive wanted in a deadly Saskatchewan stabbing attack has a history of drug and alcohol abuse that drove him insane.
The document says Myles Sanderson has racked up 59 criminal convictions over the past two decades.
Mr. Sanderson received his first federal sentence of four years and four months for various offenses including assault, assault with a weapon and robbery.
The document says that in 2017 and 2018, Myles Sanderson threatened to kill a First Nations store worker and stabbed two people with a fork.
The board maintains that he has spoken of losing his mind and getting angry when using drugs or alcohol, but that he had already been in drug treatment.
RCMP say Damien Sanderson, one of two suspects in the series of deadly stabbing attacks in Saskatchewan, has been found dead.
The 31-year-old’s body was discovered outside in a grassy area in James Smith’s Cree Nation. “The body (of Mr. Sanderson) was found outside in a heavily grassed area near a house that was under investigation,” RCMP Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore told reporters. in charge of Saskatchewan.
Police said he had visible injuries that were not self-inflicted.
His brother, Myles Sanderson, 30, is the second suspect wanted in connection with the stabbing attacks.
Police say he is still at large, may be injured and may be in Regina.
“(He) may have suffered injuries. This has not been confirmed but we want the public to know as he may need medical attention, Ms Blackmore said. Even though he’s injured, that doesn’t mean he’s not still dangerous. »
She added that Myles Sanderson had a long criminal record for crimes against property and violence against the person. He was charged with multiple counts of first degree murder, attempted murder and break and enter.
When asked if Myles Sanderson was responsible for her brother’s death, Commissioner Blackmore said they were investigating the possibility but could “not say definitively at this time”.
“We cannot say for sure how Damien died. She declined to give further details about Damien Sanderson’s death.
Since Sunday morning, police have been scouring Regina, a three-hour drive south, following a tip that the suspects were seen in the getaway vehicle, a black Nissan Rogue.
Regina Police Chief Evan Bray said the hunt continues in Saskatchewan’s capital.
“The latest and most reliable information we have indicates that (Myles) is in Regina or was in Regina,” Mr. Bray said.
“(The information) is one day old. We recognize it. But we have nothing that can tell us otherwise, so we will continue to operate on it, he says. Keep in mind that this is information from eyewitnesses who provided details supporting that they saw the car (and) plate confirmation. »
The series of attacks left 10 dead and 18 injured in Saskatchewan. There has been no official statement on the identity of the stabbing victims.
Earlier Monday, under arrest warrants, the two men had been charged with first degree murder, attempted murder and breaking and entering.
The attacks occurred at 13 different locations on James Smith Cree Nation territory and in the village of Weldon, northeast of Saskatoon, on Sunday.
Increased police surveillance
Residents of neighboring provinces of Alberta and Manitoba have been warned to watch for the fugitive still at large. Investigators said they are receiving assistance from the RCMP in those provinces and other police departments.
Myles Sanderson is described as six foot one inch tall and weighing 200 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.
At this time, police have not located the Nissan Rogue, which bears a Saskatchewan license plate of 119 MPI.
On Monday afternoon, the RCMP issued another dangerous person alert following a shooting 200 kilometers west on Witchekan Lake First Nation. However, authorities said it was not believed to be linked to the stabbing attacks.
James Smith’s Cree Nation was closed to the public due to a heavy police presence and some journalists were asked to leave.
The streets of Weldon were nearly deserted, doors closed and curtains drawn, as police patrolled the area. Many residents declined media interviews.
Ruby Works stopped to lay flowers outside the home of one of the victims, identified by several residents as 77-year-old Wes Petterson.
Earlier, 89-year-old Weldon resident Doreen Lees said she and her daughter thought they saw one of the suspects when a car sped down her street early on Sunday.
Doreen Lees said a man approached them and said he was injured and needed help, but fled when his daughter said she would call. ‘assistance.
“He didn’t want to show his face. He had a big jacket over his face. We asked for his name and he kind of mumbled his name twice and we still couldn’t get it, she mentioned. He said his face was so hurt he couldn’t show it. »
Ms Lees said she was worried and started following him, but her daughter asked her to come home.
In a video statement, Regina Police Chief Evan Bray said before the body of one of the suspects was discovered: “We have a new group of investigators and new teams that will take on this investigation and we We will not stop this investigation until we have taken these two people into custody. »
On social media, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said in a video that the province has bolstered police presence with additional security, including protections at hospitals where victims are being treated.
“The attacks yesterday were horrific beyond anything we could imagine,” Mr Moe said.
“There are no words to adequately describe the pain and loss suffered by the families of the victims — the loss caused by these vicious, vicious and senseless attacks. […] All of Saskatchewan mourns with you. »
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a separate press briefing that “the federal government will continue to be there with the resources needed immediately, but also for the healing and the work that we will have to do together in the months and years to come “. He urged the population to follow the directives of local authorities and communicate any relevant information to 911.
In solidarity with the victims and their loved ones, “the flags of the federal buildings in Saskatchewan have been lowered” as well as on the Peace Tower in Ottawa, he indicated. He also mentioned having spoken with leaders of the James Smith Cree Nation and with the province’s premier, Scott Moe.
“Unfortunately, in recent years, tragedies like these have become all too common,” he said.
“Saskatchewan and Canadians will do what we always do in difficult and anxious times: we will be there for each other. »