Horrific Attack On First Nations Community In Saskatchewan Leaves Several Dead, More Injured

A Saskatchewan First Nations community was attacked on Sunday by two men, leaving 10 residents stabbed to death and 15 injured with the count possibly rising.

The James Cree First Nations community was involved in the brutal stabbing. The Canadian RCMP has shared that while the attack was wild, it seems to have been for targeted people in the community and others may have just been in the way.

Rhonda Blackmore, the assistant commissioner in charge of Saskatchewan RCMP, told reporters in Regina. We believe some of the victims have been targeted by the suspects and others have been attacked randomly.”

Blackmore went on to share her personal thoughts on the situation. “It is horrific what has occurred in our province today.” As for the victims, they are being treated at nearby hospitals with varying degrees of injuries.

The two men who attacked the community were said to have been to 13 different locations on the James Smith Cree Nations and nearby Weldon, a town northeast of Saskatoon. Blackmore went into more detail about how they knew the crime was taking place.

She shared that at around 6 a.m. reports began coming in from local residents complaining about attacks. By midday more and more calls were coming in and police were forced to issue a warning about a truck carrying two men they believed were suspects,

Officers were posted throughout the city on the lookout for the alleged suspects. Security was also upped at labor day events around the city including at Mosaic Stadium where a game between Canadian Football League's Saskatchewan Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers was taking place.

The police issued dangerous persons alert for Damien Sanderson, 31, and Myles Sanderson, 30 around Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba. Blackmore publicly pleaded with the suspect to turn themselves in.

“If Damien and Myles are listening, or receive this information, I would ask that they turn themselves into police immediately.” In the same breath she also warned the public to steer clear of the men if they recognize them.

“They're considered armed and dangerous at this point we don't know if they have changed vehicles since this morning. Their location and direction of travel is unknown.” She also offered up a description of what the suspects are wearing and general facts.

Damien Sanderson is about five feet seven inches tall and 155 pounds, and Myles Sanderson is about six-foot-one and around 200 pounds. They both have black hair and brown eyes and possibly driving a black Nissan Rogue with license plate number 119 MPI.

As news is slowly being released about the victims, residents of the town are reacting to this horrible crime. When resident Ruby Works found out a long-time friend and resident Wes Petterson is one of the victims she had a hard time processing it.

“I collapsed and hit the ground. I've known him since I was just a little girl,” she remembers him as loving to make jam with local berries. “He didn't do anything. He didn't deserve this. He was a good, kind-hearted man.”

Works believe, “no one in this town is ever going to sleep again. They're going to be terrified to open their door.”

As we mentioned, the names of some of the fatal victims are being released as family members are being notified one by one. A mother of two named Lana Head has also passed after being attacked by the two men.

Her ex-partner Michael Brett Burns shared that he is disgusted at the broken system that allowed this to happen. “It’s sick how jail time, drugs, and alcohol can destroy many lives,” shared Burns. “I’m hurt for all this loss.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau released a statement earlier “I am shocked and devastated by the horrific attacks today in James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon, Saskatchewan, that claimed the lives of 10 people and injured many more.”

He went on to say. “As this is an unfolding situation, I encourage everyone in the area to listen to the advice of law enforcement to take shelter and follow the proper precautions.” The PM also demanded that the men must be “fully brought to justice”

Chakastaypasin chief, Calvin Sanderson, an elected leader of the three communities in James Smith Cree Nation shared that these attacks hit close to home. “Everyone’s been affected … They were our relatives, friends. Mostly we’re all related here, so it’s pretty hard … It’s pretty horrific.”

The story is developing.