Myles Sanderson: Suspect still at large as Canadian police expand search after mass stabbing in Saskatchewan

Three people remain in critical condition, the Saskatchewan Health Authority said in a statement on Tuesday, while seven are stable. Another seven have been discharged, the authority said.

Police have warned that Sanderson may be injured, but he is still considered “armed and dangerous” and should not be approached.

He is wanted on a warrant for his arrest on three counts of first degree murder, one count of attempted murder, and trespassing on a residence.

While police said Monday they were operating under the impression Sanderson was in the city of Regina, which is more than 300 kilometers (186 miles) south of the James Smith Cree Nation, they no longer believed he was still there, the Regina police chief said. Evan Bray said Tuesday.

“Today we have received information that makes us believe that he will no longer be in this community… although we do not know his whereabouts, we continue to search not only within the city of Regina, but also expanding to the province. too,” Bray said.

Apparently, some of the victims were attacked, police said.

It is not clear what motivated the violence and how or if the brothers knew any of the victims.

Apparently, some were targeted, while others may have been targeted at random, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Deputy Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore said at a briefing Monday.

It is also unknown if the brothers carried out the attacks at the same time, according to Blackmore.

The first stabbing was reported on the James Smith Cree Nation at 5:40 a.m. local time. Minutes later, several more calls came in about stabbings elsewhere, police said.

The nation has a population of about 3,400 people with about 1,800 members living on the reservation, according to its website.

As of 9:45 am, authorities reported casualties at multiple locations, including one in the town of Weldon.

While police have not released the names of the dead, one was identified as Gloria Burns, one of the first responders, according to Reuters.

Burns was responding to a crisis call when she was caught up in the violence and was killed, her brother Darryl Burns told Reuters, though the agency did not say whether the call was related to the stabbings.

“She was massacred,” her brother Ivor Burns told Reuters.

The discovery of Damien Sanderson’s body a day after the attacks also raised questions about his brother’s involvement in his death. But police said Monday it was not clear if Myles Sanderson was involved.

“It’s an investigative avenue that we’re pursuing, but we can’t say that definitively at this point,” Blackmore said.

The suspect had a ‘long’ criminal history and was released by the parole board.

Myles Sanderson was described as being approximately 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing around 240 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Police released an updated photo of him on Tuesday.

Blackmore previously said that Sanderson had warrants for his arrest prior to the stabbings.

“Myles’ history goes back several years and includes crimes against both property and people,” Blackmore said, without elaborating on the alleged crimes.

“His actions have shown that he is violent, so we continue to emphasize that people remain vigilant,” Blackmore added.

The Parole Board of Canada granted Sanderson parole, according to a ruling issued on February 1, 2022. The board said in the ruling that it did not believe Sanderson would present a risk to the public if released.

The decision did take note of his long criminal history and that he was assessed by a psychologist for a “moderate risk of violence.”

“Her criminal history is highly concerning, including the use of violence and weapons related to her primary crimes, and her history of domestic violence that victimized family members, including her children, and non-family members,” the decision says.