At least 10 people have been killed and 18 more injured in a series of random stabbings outside of Regina, Sask. on Labour Day weekend. Most of the attacks were inflicted upon members of the James Smith Cree Nation, a rural Indigenous community north of Saskatoon. People were attacked at several different locations in the area; the town is home to just 3,000 people. Other attacks took place in the nearby village of Weldon, a town mostly inhabited by retirees with a population of 200 people. 

         The suspects in the stabbings, brothers Myles and Damien Sanderson, were charged with murder. On Sept. 5, Damien was found dead due to injuries that are not believed to be self-inflicted. At the time of his death, Damien had been charged with one count of first-degree murder, as well as one count of attempted murder, and one count of breaking and entering. After a four-day manhunt, Myles was arrested on Sept. 7 after a high-speed chase. Shortly after the arrest, he went into medical distress and was pronounced dead at the hospital. 

During the time Myles evaded law enforcement, he was believed to have been injured; as such, medical workers were warned to be vigilant. Emergency alerts were issued for the provinces of Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba, and drivers were cautioned not to pick up hitchhikers. Saskatchewan residents returning from Labour Day weekend trips were also instructed to be aware of any suspicious activity in their homes before entering. RCMP officers issued a plea to the public for information regarding the whereabouts of Myles Sanderson. James Smith Cree Nation was put on lockdown following the attacks, with RCMP officers patrolling the area.

The Chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, Bobby Cameron, released a statement on Sunday saying: “Together, as a nation, we mourn with the people of James Smith Cree Nation, and we pray that those who are injured will recover as soon as possible … On behalf of the 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan, [the members of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations] pledge our services and support today and into the coming days.”

On Wednesday, Sept. 7, Myles broke into a woman’s house 30km away from Wakaw, Sask., taking the keys to her truck. Shortly after he left, the woman dialed a relative who then notified the RCMP. Police units cornered Myles on a highway and drove the vehicle off the road, arresting him near Rosthern, Sask.

Myles Sanderson had been wanted by law enforcement across Canada for several months after he stopped meeting with his parole officer in May. He had a history of violence and was considered extremely dangerous. Before his death, he was facing charges for three counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, and one count of breaking and entering of a residence in the Saskatchewan courts. 

The stabbings are considered some of the deadliest attacks in recent Canadian history.  Some victims appeared to have been targeted, but the majority of the attacks were inflicted randomly. While the motivations of the attackers remain unknown, Cameron has suggested that drug abuse may be involved. Cameron said in a statement issued on Monday: “This is the destruction we face when harmful illegal drugs invade our communities, and we demand all authorities to take direction from the Chiefs and Councils and their membership to create safer and healthier communities for our people.”

The rural communities in Saskatchewan continue to struggle to make sense of this tragedy but are relieved Myles is no longer on the run. “Now people can start to feel safe again but also now is the time for healing to begin,” said Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand.

Photo courtesy of Robert Bumsted/AP