“It’s definitely a very significant event, if not the biggest we’ve seen in years,” said Royal Canadian Mounted Police Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore. Some victims appear to have been targeted, while others are believed to have been attacked at random, police said. Authorities are urging local residents to be vigilant and take precautions, including sheltering in some communities, as the suspects are still at large. Police have issued a “civil emergency” alert warning those in the Regina area to be extra cautious after police received a report that the suspects may have been traveling there. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was “shocked and devastated” by the violent attacks. “As Canadians, we mourn with all those affected by this tragic violence, and with the people of Saskatchewan. We also wish those injured a full and speedy recovery,” Trudeau said in a statement Sunday night. As the manhunt continues, here’s what we know.
How did the attacks unfold?
Police received the first report of a stabbing on the James Smith Cree Nation at 5:40 a.m. and within minutes several other calls came in reporting other stabbings throughout the community, police said. Within hours, the situation escalated into a mass stabbing with at least 25 victims, 10 of whom died, police said. Three helicopters from STARS Air Ambulance were dispatched to the James Smith Cree Nation during the attack, company spokesman Mark Oddan told CNN. The first crew to arrive triaged the victims, and the second aircraft brought a medic to help triage and lead the emergency response, he said. Helicopter crews took some victims to Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, and several other patients were taken to local hospitals by ground ambulances, Odan said. He was unable to provide details about the patients or their conditions. Multiple dangerous person alerts were issued by police throughout the morning, extending across the province of Saskatchewan and into neighboring Manitoba and Alberta. Canadian Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino asked residents to take shelter. “To everyone in Saskatchewan, especially those near the James Smith Cree First Nation area, please evacuate and stay safe,” he tweeted. Authorities have located 13 separate scenes where the attacks took place. There may be other victims who were injured and taken to the hospital, police said, urging potential victims to contact law enforcement. “Our thoughts are with the many victims who died and were injured, their family, friends and community. It is appalling what happened today in our province,” Blackmore said.
Who are the suspects?
Less than three hours after the first attack was reported, police identified Damian Sanderson and Myles Sanderson as suspects in the stabbing spree. Damien Sanderson, 31, is described by authorities as 5-feet-7-inches tall and 155 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. Miles Sanderson, 30, is 6 feet 1 inch tall and 240 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes, police said. Officials have not said if the couple is related. The vehicle they were believed to be driving was spotted around 11:45am. in Regina, police said. Regina is over 300 kilometers (186 miles) south of the James Smith Cree Nation. “This is why we need everyone in the province to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity by calling 911 immediately,” Blackmore said in a statement Sunday. “If you see the suspects and/or their vehicle, do not approach them or their vehicle, leave the area immediately and call 911.” In a message to the two suspects, Blackmore said: “If Damien and Miles hear or receive this information, I would ask them to contact the police immediately.”
What was the response from the employees?
The violent attacks have rattled Canadian residents and officials as law enforcement rushes to apprehend the suspects. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe expressed his condolences to the people of the province in a tweet. “There are no words to adequately describe the pain and loss caused by this senseless violence. All of Saskatchewan mourns with the victims and their families,” Moe wrote. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba are jointly investigating the stabbings. “We are devoting a maximum number of resources to this investigation,” Blackmore said. Two emergency centers have been set up to “provide health support” to affected communities, leaders of the James Smith Cree Nation said in a statement. In response to the stabbings, the Canadian Football League’s Saskatchewan Roughriders announced increased security at their game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sunday. The Roughriders play at Mosaic Stadium in Regina. “The Club operates a central command center on match day which allows direct connection to local emergency services and the ability to receive up to date information when any type of emergency occurs,” the club said in a statement on Twitter. CNN’s Paula Newton and Amir Vera contributed to this report.
