Timeline of the police response to deadly stabbings in Saskatchewan

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This article was published 06/09/2022 (840 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

JAMES SMITH CREE NATION – RCMP say two men went on a stabbing rampage in Saskatchewan on Sunday. They say 10 people died and 18 others were injured at several locations on the James Smith Cree Nation and nearby village of Weldon. They say one of the suspects, Damien Sanderson, was later found dead. The second suspect, Myles Sanderson, was arrested Wednesday and died shortly after. Here’s a timeline of the police response. All times are local:

Sunday, Sept. 4:

5:40 a.m. – RCMP gets first report of a stabbing on the James Smith Cree Nation.

5:43 a.m. – Two officers from the Melfort RCMP detachment, 45 kilometres away, are dispatched.

5:59 a.m. – A second call comes in of two injured people at a home on the James Smith Cree Nation.

6:18 a.m. – Officers arrive at the first scene.

6:20 a.m. – One of the two officers leaves the first scene to go to the second one.

6:32 a.m. – An officer arrives at the second scene.

6:35 a.m. – RCMP start to draft and emergency alert due to “significant risk” to the public.

7:12 a.m. – RCMP issues dangerous persons alert, says police trying to locate two suspects. Area residents of James Smith Cree Nation and surrounding communities of Candle Lake, Prince Albert, Melfort, Humboldt and Rosthern told to seek immediate shelter, use caution.

7:57 a.m. – RCMP releases names and photos of suspects: Damien Sanderson and Myles Sanderson. Damien Sanderson is described as five feet seven inches tall, 155 pounds with black hair, brown eyes. Myles Sanderson is described as six feet one inch tall, 200 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

8:20 a.m. – RCMP extends dangerous persons alert across the province of Saskatchewan, saying the suspects are believed to be travelling in a vehicle.

9:45 a.m. – RCMP issues fourth dangerous persons alert saying there have been multiple victims in multiple locations, at least one at James Smith Cree Nation and another in the nearby village of Weldon. Some of the attacks appear to be random.

11:25 a.m. – RCMP sends request to Mounties in Manitoba and Alberta to extend dangerous persons alert to their provinces.

12:07 p.m. – RCMP issues fifth update saying witnesses report seeing suspect vehicle in Regina on Arcola Avenue. Residents asked to shelter in place. The vehicle is described as a black Nissan Rogue with Saskatchewan licence plate 119 MPI.

3:45 p.m. – RCMP announces 10 people have been killed and 15 others injured in the attacks, which they say took place across 13 locations.

Monday, Sept. 5:

7:36 a.m. – Regina police Chief Evan Bray says in a video posted to Twitter that the two suspects remain at large, despite “ongoing, relentless” efforts of officers overnight.

11:39 a.m. – Saskatchewan RCMP say the two fugitives have been charged with first-degree murder, as well as attempted murder, and break and enter. Mounties also say the number of injured rose to 18 from 15.

12:43 p.m. – Saskatchewan RCMP issue a provincewide alert for several armed suspects on the Witchekan Lake First Nation, northwest of Saskatoon, after reports of a shooting. They say it is not believed to be connected to the stabbings on the James Smith Cree Nation and in Weldon.

1:17 p.m. – RCMP confirm a deceased male found in a grassy area on the James Smith Cree Nation is one of the suspects, Damien Sanderson. Police later say his wounds were not self-inflicted and his brother, Myles Sanderson, is still at large, may be in Regina and could be injured.

Tuesday, Sept. 6

11:40 a.m. – A notice goes out through Saskatchewan’s emergency alert system saying there has been a possible sighting of Myles Sanderson on the James Smith Cree Nation. It says RCMP are responding and that people in the area should seek shelter or stay in a safe indoor location.

2:56 p.m. – Another notice sent through the provincial emergency alert system says further investigation has determined Sanderson is not on the James Smith Cree Nation and the RCMP are continuing to search for him.

Wednesday, Sept. 7

7:12 a.m. – RCMP, in conjunction with the Saskatchewan Coroner’s Service and victims’ families, release the identities of nine men and women killed on the James Smith Cree Nation and one man killed in the nearby village of Weldon.

2:07 – A 911 call comes in of a break-and-enter in the town of Wakaw, about 110 kilometres southwest of James Smith Cree Nation. Sanderson is reported to be standing outside of a home with a knife.

2:49 p.m. – An emergency alert warns a person armed with a knife has been spotted driving a white Chevrolet Avalanche that had been reported stolen from Wakaw. The alert says the two events may be connected and people should seek shelter or stay in a secure location. Several police vehicles are seen speeding along rural roads in the area as a helicopter hovers overhead. More than 20 calls come in from the public of potential sightings.

3:30 p.m. – RCMP say Myles Sanderson located and taken into police custody near Rosthern, Sask. A short time later, police say he went into “medical distress” and was taken by ground ambulance to a hospital in Saskatoon, where he died.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 7, 2022.