The Saskatchewan 2022 Homicide Victim List is available here
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Saskatchewan RCMP responded to a call reporting a stabbing on the James Smith Cree Nation on September 4th at 5:40am. In the following minutes, police received multiple calls reporting additional stabbings, at different locations in the community.
At 7:12 a.m., Saskatchewan RCMP issued an initial Dangerous Persons Alert to James Smith Cree Nation residents and surrounding communities including Candle Lake, Prince Albert, Melfort, Humboldt, and Rosthern, asking the public to seek shelter.
At 8:20, the Dangerous Persons Alert was extended to the entire Province of Saskatchewan, as the investigation confirmed the two suspects Damian Sanderson and Myles Sanderson – were traveling in a vehicle. Damien Sanderson is described as a 31-year-old male, 5 foot 7, 155 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Myles Sanderson is a 30-year-old male, 6 foot 1 and 240 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. They are believed to be in a black Nissan Rogue SUV with Saskatchewan license plate 119 MPI.
RCMP announced at 3:40pm that they located 10 people deceased and at least 15 people have been hospitalized. Police believe some of the stabbings were random at 13 locations in the communities of the James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon in Saskatchewan.
Update September 5th
Damien Sanderson has been located deceased. Saskatchewan RCMP continues to search for Myles Sanderson, who is 6 foot one inch and 240 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He may be injured and seek medical attention. His body was located, in a heavily grassed area in proximity to a house being investigated. Police confirmed visible injuries, not believed to be self-inflicted at this point. The exact cause of death will be determined in conjunction with the Saskatchewan Coroner’s Office with a date and time to be determined.
Update September 7th: The deceased victims are identified as:
23-year-old Thomas Burns of James Smith Cree Nation, Saskatchewan
46-year-old Carol Burns of James Smith Cree Nation, Saskatchewan
28-year-old Gregory Burns of James Smith Cree Nation, Saskatchewan
61-year-old Lydia Gloria Burns of James Smith Cree Nation, Saskatchewan
48-year-old Bonnie Burns of James Smith Cree Nation, Saskatchewan
66-year-old Earl Burns of James Smith Cree Nation, Saskatchewan
49-year-old Lana Head of James Smith Cree Nation, Saskatchewan
54-year-old Christian Head of James Smith Cree Nation, Saskatchewan
49-year-old Robert Sanderson of James Smith Cree Nation, Saskatchewan
78-year-old Wesley Petterson of Weldon, Saskatchewan
Police have confirmed one young teen was injured and the remaining injured are all adults. They will not be confirming other specific ages. Injured victims encompass both males and females.
Myles Sanderson was located and taken into police custody near Rosthern, SK at approximately 3:30 p.m. today, September 7th. Shortly after his arrest, he went into medical distress. Nearby EMS were called by police to attend the scene and was transported to a hospital in Saskatoon. He was pronounced deceased at the hospital.
Update October 6th, 2022
RCMP announced that after completing 250 interviews, processing over 670 exhibits, reviewing and following up on over 100-911 calls for service, investigators have determined…Damien Sanderson was a victim of homicide by Myles Sanderson.
Myles Sanderson committed all the homicides alone, bringing the homicide total to 11. All charges related to this investigation have been withdrawn by the Crown following the deaths of Myles and Damien Sanderson.