A manhunt is on. At least ten people were killed and fifteen were injured in stabbing attacks on Sunday, September 4, in the indigenous community ofe James Smith Cree Nation and in the neighboring town of Weldon, in the province of Saskatchewan (western part of the country), according to the police. Two men are actively sought by the police. Franceinfo summarizes what we know about these attacks.
Ten dead and at least 15 injured
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) received a first call on Sunday at 5:40 a.m. reporting a stabbing attack on the territory of the James Smith Cree Nation. A local state of emergency was first declared in this locality, then extended to all of Saskatchewan.
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Residents of the province have been asked to stay home for safety. Police have recovered ten bodies in the James Smith Cree Nation Aboriginal community and the nearby town of Weldon, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore told a news conference.
“Several other victims were injured, 15 of whom have so far been transported to various hospitals., she said. Authorities are investigating “numerous crime scenes”, added the assistant commissioner. The Saskatchewan health authority said it activated emergency protocols to deal with the “a high number of critical patients”. Three helicopters and a medic were dispatched from Saskatoon and Regina to transport the stab victims.
Two suspects wanted
Two suspects have been identified: Damien Sanderson and Myles Sanderson, aged 30 and 31.
Update #5 for Dangerous Person Alert issued by Melfort RCMP: #RCMPSK received a report the suspects may traveling in the Arcola Ave area around 11:45 am in Regina, SK in a black, Nissan Rogue with SK license 119 MPI. pic.twitter.com/dYlVTmP1CL
—RCMP Saskatchewan (@RCMPSK) September 4, 2022
The two men allegedly escaped in a black Nissan Rogue, it was said. Rhonda Blackmore. Police forces were deployed “to their fullest” to capture them. “Their location and direction of movement are unknown, which is why we need everyone in the province to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.”she said.
The suspects were first reported in Regina, the provincial capital, located more than 300 kilometers to the south. The alert and search then spread to the neighboring provinces of Manitoba and Alberta.
A mobile still mysterious
“Today’s attacks in Saskatchewan are horrific and heartbreaking. My thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones and those who have been injured.”reacted the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, on Twitter.
Today’s attacks in Saskatchewan are horrific and heartbreaking. My thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones and those who have been injured.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) September 4, 2022
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe wrote about Twitter “having no words to adequately describe the pain and loss caused by this senseless violence”. These attacks are, for the moment, unexplained. The authorities believe that “some of the victims were targeted by the suspects and others were randomly attacked”detailed Rhonda Blackmore. It’s too early, she says,ur address the motive for these attacks.