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Benjamin Lynch

Canada mass stabbings: Everything we know as suspect dies after dramatic car chase

Both of the suspects in the Canada mass stabbing spree that rocked a community are now dead as the country grieves the loss of 10 victims.

Another 19 people were also injured in the shocking attack on Sunday, September 4 at the James Smith Cree Nation community and the nearby village of Weldon, Saskatchewan.

Two men devastated a community as police said some people were deliberately targeted, while others were just attacked at random in the indigenous community with nearly 3,500 residents.

The attack shocked Canada and cause widespread condemnation. Ten people remain in hospital and three of them are in critical condition.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement on Sunday: "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.

Mother-of-two Lana Head was killed in the stabbings (SFNVA/UNPIXS)

"To James Smith Cree Nation and the people of Saskatchewan: You are in our thoughts. We are here to support you during this difficult time."

Prince William also offered a message of condolence to the victims of the James Smith Cree Nation community

In a tweet, the Duke of Cambridge wrote: "The attacks at James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon, Saskatchewan are truly heartbreaking.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of these horrific acts and all those that have lost loved ones."

Here is everything we know about the tragedy.

Suspect - Myles Sanderson

Myles Sanderson was eventually captured after three days on the run (via REUTERS)

Myles Sanderson was one of two brothers hunted by police, wanted in connection with the Saskatchewan stabbings. He died in custody after suffering "medical distress", following a high-speed chase with police.

After he fled the scene, the older Sanderson brother, 32, was hunted by police who rammed him of the road.

He is reported to have died in hospital after suffering self-inflicted wounds.

He was rammed off the road by police (LARS HAGBERG/AFP via Getty Images)

Authorities found a knife in the style Chevrolet truck reported as stolen and then spotted driving down a highway at 90 mph.

As the manhunt proceeded, the suspect's mother made a direct appeal for him to turn himself in.

She said on CBC News: "Myles, my boy, turn yourself in. Please. You can do this. Come back. Turn yourself in. Do the right thing."

His father added: "Myles, please, please turn yourself in. We don’t want no more hurt. I don’t want nobody hurt any more... please, my son. I love you. Turn yourself in. Be safe."

A police officer looks visibly upset in Saskatchewan (Lars Hagberg / AFP)

Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore said: "This evening our province is breathing a collective sigh of relief."

Of Myles' death, she said: "Shortly after his arrest he went into medical distress. Nearby EMS were called to attend the scene and he was transported to a hospital in Saskatoon.

"I can't speak to the specific manner of death, that's gonna be part of the autopsy that will be conducted."

With Myles now dead, there is concern that the motive behind the killings will never be discovered.

Suspect - Damien Sanderson

Myles' younger brother Damien was found dead shortly after the stabbing with injuries that did not appear self-inflicted.

Police found him "in a heavily grassed area in proximity to a house that was being examined" in the James Smith Cree Nation community itself.

The Sanderson parents acknowledged the grief and suffering caused by the stabbings, their mum insisted she wanted to "apologise for my son, my sons."

The stunned Sanderson parents apologies for their sons (REUTERS/David Stobbe)

Their father said: "I give all my sincere apologies to the families.

"From the bottom of my heart, I mean it. I am so sorry this happened. I don’t know what else to say, what to do... I wish it was a dream."

Timeline of events

The timeline of the Saskatchewan killings lasted from Sunday, September 4, until Myles Sanderson's arrest on September 7.

Sunday, September 4 - 5.40am

Police receive calls about multiple stabbings in different locations. They issue an alert for a dangerous person and begin trying to locate two suspects. Members of the surrounding communities are told to seek shelter.

8am

Police identify Myles and Damien Sanderson as two suspects possibly behind the attacks and the dangerous persons alert is extended across the province of Saskatchewan.

Many of the killings appeared to be random (Canadian Press/REX/Shutterstock)

Damien Sanderson is described as five-foot-seven, with black hair and brown eyes. Myles Sanderson is described as six-foot-one, with black hair and brown eyes.

Both of the brothers are believed to be travelling in a black Nissan Rogue. In the afternoon, police announce 10 people have been killed.

Monday, September 5 - 11.40am

Police confirm the two suspects remain at large despite the efforts to catch them and reveal they have both been charged with murder, attempted murder and breaking and entering.

Forensics scoured the crime scenes as the suspects remained at large (REUTERS/David Stobbe)

1.17pm

The body of Damien Sanderson is found, while police report a possible sighting of Myles on the James Smith Cree Nation.

Rhonda Blackmore says: "We can confirm he has visible injuries. These injuries are not believed to be self-inflicted at this point.

"We can confirm he has visible injuries. These injuries are not believed to be self-inflicted at this point."

Tuesday, September 6

On Tuesday, the sighting is discounted and the search continues for him elsewhere. Police believe Myles to be in the provincial capital of Regina.

Rhonda Blackmore confirmed the deaths of the suspects (Canadian Press/REX/Shutterstock)

Regina Police Chief Evan Bray says: "There's a lot of anxiety in our province right now in our communities and throughout the country and so we need to start the healing process and until we can make this arrest that isn't going to happen."

Bobby Cameron, Chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, pleads with the public for information.

Parole documents are released that showed the man-at-large had 59 convictions over 20 years, including one incident in which he attacked and stabbed one of the victims fro the Sunday killing spree.

Wednesday, September 7 - 3.30pm

After multiple sighitns of a stolen white Chevrolet driving at high speed, police catch up with and ram Sanderson off the road near Rosthern, Saskatchewan.

An arrest is made, but the fugitive falls into "medical distress" and later dies in hospital.

Victims

The oldest victim, Wesley Petterson, was 78 (SFNVA/UNPIXS)
Thomas Burns, 23, was the youngest to die (SFNVA/UNPIXS)

A total of 10 victims ranging from the ages of 23 to 78 are declared dead. A total of 19 more people are injured and three remain in a critical condition in hospital.

Victims included a 62-year-old first responder and a widower, 77, and Earl Burns, 66 a member of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.

The victims are as follows:

  • Thomas Burns, 23
  • Carol Burns, 46
  • Gregory Burns, 28
  • Lydia Gloria Burns, 61
  • Bonnie Burns, 48
  • Earl Burns, 66
  • Lana Head, 49
  • Christian Head, 54
  • Robert Sanderson, 49
  • Wesley Petterson, 78

Mark Arcands' sister Bonnie and nephew Gregory were both killed in the stabbings. Bonnie died trying to save her son, while her other boy Drayson, 13, was stabbed and survived.

Family members of victims described how their community was shattered (CATV/UNPIXS)

He said: "This terrible tragedy that nobody wanted or asked for. It still feels like it’s a nightmare. Mama bear took care of her cubs.

"How could somebody do this to women and children? Words can't express the pain that we are feeling."

Neighbour Ruby Works described victim Wesley Petterson, 78 and from the village of Weldon as a "kind-hearted man".

"If someone needed a hand, he helped," she added. "He didn't deserve this. Both communities are destroyed. All lives are shattered."

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