Canadian police are looking for two suspects in a stabbing spree that killed 10 people and injured at least 15 in a mostly sparsely populated indigenous community on Sunday.
The stabbings at 13 different locations are among the deadliest mass murders in modern Canadian history, and are sure to resonate across the country unaccustomed to the more common forms of mass violence in the United States.
“I am shocked and devastated by today’s horrific attacks,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement. “As Canadians, we mourn along with all those affected by this tragic violence and the people of Saskatchewan.”
Police provided photos and explanations, naming two suspects, 31-year-old Damien Sanderson and 30-year-old Myles Sanderson, but did not provide further details on the cause or the victims.
In a statement made by local leaders, it was stated that the attacks could be related to drugs.
“This is the devastation we face when harmful illicit drugs invade our communities,” said the Sovereign Federation of Indigenous Nations. The group represents the 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan.
Referring to the ex-wife of the woman, it was reported in the local media that the mother of two children was among the 10 killed.
In May, Myles Sanderson was listed as a fugitive by the Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers, a program that encourages the public to cooperate with the police. There are no further details as to why it was sought.
“It seems that some victims have been targeted and some may be random. So it will be extremely difficult to talk about a cause at this point,” Rhonda Blackmore, Saskatchewan Commander of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, told a news conference. .
Police said there may be other casualties transported to various hospitals.
Indigenous people make up less than 5% of Canada’s population of approximately 38 million and suffer higher levels of poverty, unemployment and lower life expectancy than other Canadians.
The first stabbings were reported at 8:40 am, and within three hours police had warned of dangerous persons across the state. Similar warnings were issued in the afternoon in neighboring provinces of Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba.
source: Noticias
